Common Winter Illnesses And Their Prevention To Stay Healthy During Cold

Winters are a season of cozy blankets, sipping hot drinks, festive celebrations, procrastination and laziness. Where one side of a coin is about the charm of winters, on the other side people get inactive during winters because of procrastination and laziness. Moreover, the temperature of winters is too cold and lesser sunrays which leads to the occurrence of winter illnesses. Their prevention is also essential so that we prevent our body from getting affected by the cold during winters and stay safe. 

Before knowing about the preventions, firstly let's understand why this takes place, why does winter illnesses only happen during winters. Understanding the cause behind all of this would definitely be the first step to keep yourselves cured and ensure maintaining a healthy body.

Why Do Winter Illnesses Increase Only in Winter?

The winter illnesses increases only during the time of winter season is because of several factors such as the cold air weakens the immune system, viruses have the ability to remain for a longer duration in cold, there is less sunlight so people are unable to intake vitamin D leading to low vitamin D levels in the body, the cold and dry air blocks the nostrils leading to blockage of nasal passages.

List of Winter Illnesses along with their Preventions 

Here are some of the common winter illnesses and their preventions, which includes:

1. Common Cold: The Most Frequent Winter Trouble

The common cold is a viral infection affecting the nose and throat which spreads easily through air droplets and direct contact. The symptoms of common cold include runny nose or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild fever, headache and fatigue.

Ways to prevent the common cold includes:

• Washing your hands properly with cleansing soaps to ensure hygiene and prevention amongst yourselves. 
• Avoiding to touch your face with unhygienic hands to prevent yourself from getting infected.
• Using a hand sanitizer after touching anything to maintain personal hygiene.
• Keeping your body full of warmth by wearing jackets, body warmers and covering yourselves under cozy blankets.
• Avoiding the sudden exposure to cold air for the prevention of getting affected from cold.
• Drinking hot drinks like herbal tea and soups to keep yourself and your body stronger in immunity.                                                     

2. Flu (Influenza): More Serious Than a Cold

Flu is a contagious viral infection that can cause severe symptoms and complications, especially in children, elderly people and those with weak immunity. The symptoms of flu include high fever, body aches, chills, dry cough and extreme tiredness.

Ways to prevent the flu includes:

• Getting an yearly vaccination for flu to ensure the prevention of getting affected from influenza.
• Maintaining hygiene from your personal end so that you stay safe.
• Eating healthy foods and drinking healthy drinks which boosts your immunity.
• Avoiding going to places that are crowded in case of a flu outbreak.
• Ensuring to sleep properly and sufficiently with accurate duration of sleep.

3. Sore Throat: A Winter Classic

Sore throats are caused by cold air, viral infections and excessive use of heaters can dry out the throat, leading to irritation and pains. The symptoms of sore throat include throat pain, difficulty in swallowing and scratchiness feeling in the throat.

Ways to prevent the sore throat includes:

• Gargling and rinsing your mouth and throat with warm salt water that rinses out toxins from throat to mouth.
• Drinking water that is lukewarm in state and keeping yourself hydrated by drinking water frequently.
• Avoiding to eat ice creams and drinking soft drinks or cold drinks or other kinds of beverages that are cold in the state. 
• Using a heater or a humidifier when you are amidst your homes and staying indoors.
• Keeping your body properly covered during winters with warm clothes, especially your forehead and ears.

4. Bronchitis: When Cough Refuses to Go

Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes become inflamed, often following a cold or flu. The symptoms of bronchitis include persistent cough, thick mucus, chest discomfort and shortness of breath.

Ways to prevent the bronchitis includes:

• Avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke, that is consuming the smoke if someone is smoking around you.
• Wearing a mask in polluted areas to ensure no intake and no consumption of dust.
• Ensuring your body is entirely warmth so that the thermal temperature of your body remains constant and accurate.
• Treatment of the common cold and cough to do early on priority basis to avoid further complications later on.
• Practicing breathing exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga and mindfulness.

5. Pneumonia: A Serious Winter Lung Infection

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and can become life-threatening if untreated. The symptoms of pneumonia include high fever, chest pain, rapid breathing and cough with phlegm.

Ways to prevent the pneumonia includes:

• If prescribed, then taking timely vaccination of pneumonia.
• Maintaining a stronger immunity by eating immune boosting foods and drinks.
• Avoiding the exposure to cold winds for the prevention of getting affected from pneumonia.
• Seeking medical help if you are suffering persistent cough or going through a cold fever.
• Practicing daily respiratory hygiene to maintain the proper functioning of the respiratory system.

6. Sinusitis: Winter’s Hidden Discomfort

Sinusitis occurs when sinus cavities become inflamed due to infections or allergies, common in cold weather. The symptoms of sinusitis include facial pain, nasal congestion, headache and thick nasal discharge.

Ways to prevent the sinusitis includes:

• Using a steamer regularly for the inhalation of steam inhalation to keep the mind warm and well.
• Keep the nostrils and nasal passages moist for the prevention of nasal blockage.
• Avoiding the exposure to cold air for getting affected from the problem of sinusitis.
• Keeping yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals.
• If facing any allergic reaction then treating those allergies on an immediate basis.

7. Asthma Attacks: Winter as a Trigger

Asthma attacks are caused by cold air and winter infections which trigger asthma. The symptoms of asthma attacks include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and frequent coughing.

Ways to prevent the asthma attacks includes:

• Either wearing a mask or covering your nose and mouth properly with a scarf whenever you are going out.
• Taking the medications which are prescribed for the treatment of asthma attacks. 
• Avoiding allergens of asthma and the intake of smoke from your surroundings.
• Keeping your home filled with fresh air so that when you are staying indoors, the breath you inhale is fresh and clear.
• Warming up your body by exercising and doing physical activities that also keeps your body active.

8. Dry Skin and Winter Rashes

Dry skin and winter rashes are caused due to the cold air and low humidity strip moisture from the skin, leading to dryness and irritation. The symptoms of dry skin and winter rashes include itchy, flaky skin, cracks, rashes and redness.

Ways to prevent the dry skin and winter rashes includes:

• Applying a moisturizer everyday to keep the texture of your skin moist and well-hydrated.
• Avoiding bathing or washing from very hot showers which can lead to dead skin cells. 
• Drinking enough water at regular intervals to make sure your body is hydrated enough.
• Using a cleansing soap while washing to ensure proper hygiene and cleanliness.
• Wearing soft and breathable clothes to ensure the warmth of your body.

9. Seasonal Depression, also known as Winter Blues

Seasonal depression causes SAD, that is Seasonal Affective Disorder which is the less absorption of sunlight and reduced sunlight during winters that can affect mood and mental health. The symptoms of seasonal depression include low energy, sleep problems, lack of motivation and sadness or anxiety.

Ways to prevent the seasonal depression includes:

• Taking morning sunlight and the absorption of vitamins for a fresh and warm start.
• Exercising regularly on a daily basis to keep your body physically as well as mentally fit.
• Maintaining social connections with our peers and socializing with others.
• Eating a balanced diet and intake of proper three time meals.
• Practicing mindfulness and relaxation to ensure the maintenance and wellness of mental health.

10. Joint Pain and Arthritis 

Joint pain is caused by cold temperatures which leads to stiffening the joints and arthritis is caused because of the reduction of blood circulation. The symptoms of joint pain and arthritis include joint stiffness, pain while moving and swelling.

Ways to prevent the joint pains and arthritis includes:

• Keeping the joints warm by doing warm-up everyday to let the joints stay active.
• Doing light stretching exercises to keep your body energetic and away from laziness.
• Maintaining a body weight that is accurately healthy according to BMI, that is body mass index.
• Using warm compresses at regular intervals to keep your body warm.
• Staying physically active by regular exercises, yoga and warm-up activities.

Enjoy the winter season meanwhile keeping yourself healthy by following these simple ways of prevention from the winter illnesses.

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