Asthma
How does cold weather affect asthma?
Cold weather is a common trigger for asthma. Cold air can trigger asthma symptoms and attacks, especially if the cold air is dry. For many people with asthma, the cold dry air and inhalation of wood smoke and mold associated with a winter climate can all cause breathing problems.
Tips for asthma sufferers during the winter season:
- Always carry your inhaler and continue to take your usual preventive inhaler as prescribed.
- Keep your mouth and nose protected with a scarf to warm the air before you breathe it in.
- Avoid being near smoke rising from wood-burning or other means of heating.
- Always breathe through your nose, not your mouth, to warm the air before it enters your lungs.
- Ensure that your home is free of asthma triggers, such as dust, and clean your bed covers regularly.
Diabetic Foot
Cold weather usually comes with dry air, which leads to dry, itchy skin and cracks on the skin. Germs may get into the cracks, and this causes infection.
Foot care for diabetics during the winter season:
- Keep your feet moisturized but avoid applying cream between the toes.
- Avoid direct heat on your feet.
- Pay attention to foot hygiene and dryness, especially between the toes.
Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High Blood pressure usually rises in winter and falls in summer due to the decrease in temperature causing narrowing of the blood vessels.
Other seasonal causes of Hypertension include obesity, eating salty foods, and lack of physical activity, which is more common in the winter. If you have hypertension, you should constantly monitor your blood pressure measurements as the seasons change and discuss any updates with your doctor.
A healthy lifestyle is one of the most important ways to prevent and control blood pressure during the winter season:
- Doing physical activity.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Follow a healthy diet
- Control anxiety and stress.
- Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Reduce caffeine intake.
Rheumatism
How does the winter season affect persons with rheumatism?
Low atmospheric pressure often occurs in cold climates, and it causes joint expansion, which may lead to pain.
You cannot prevent cold weather from affecting you, but you can reduce symptoms and pain by following these tips:
- Stay indoors as much as possible on cold and humid days.
- Massage the joints that hurt.
- Cover as much of your body as possible with warm clothing (gloves, scarf, hat) in case you go outdoors.