Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
We can tell that winter is around the corner because of the chilly breeze and the slight nip in the air. This is the time of the year when people look forward to sumptuous foods, celebrations, and even vacations. We cannot overlook the reality that the winter season also has an unpleasant aspect. Even though we like dressing up in our winter finery, illnesses and infections are hard to avoid due to the winter’s not-so-pleasant side!
An abrupt change in temperature can cause health problems including arthritis, heart problems, and more. Wintertime is the best time to watch out for respiratory infections and skin problems.
In the winter months, colds, cases of flu, and other respiratory ailments are more prevalent. Since more people spend time indoors, due to closed environments, infections can spread more quickly from one person to another. The dry, chilly air may also make resistance lessened.
There may be many questions that pop up in your head. Do I have a cold or is it something more serious? Do I need antibiotics? What do I do to relieve my symptoms? So on and so forth. Read on to know about the most common winter illnesses and the tips to avoid them this winter.
Common winter illnesses
Common cold
A viral illness that affects the upper respiratory tract is the common cold. The most frequent cause is the rhinovirus. Sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and an itchy, painful throat are the typical early symptoms of the common cold. Because the common cold is so widespread, the majority of individuals can identify these early signs promptly. Adults really have 2 to 3 colds on average per year.
Cold symptoms often last 7 to 10 days. On average, symptoms peak around day 5 and then progressively go better.
However, you could have another disease, and it might be time to contact a doctor if your symptoms intensify after a week or don’t go away after around 10 days.
Flu
The typical cold and the flu may initially appear to be identical. They both affect the respiratory system and might present with comparable symptoms. But these two situations are brought on by various viruses.
A few symptoms of the flu and the common cold are similar. People who have any ailment frequently encounter:
- runny or congested nose
- body aches
- fatigue
Generally speaking, flu symptoms are worse than cold symptoms.
The seriousness of the two is another obvious distinction. Rarely do colds result in further medical concerns or issues. However, the flu can cause:
- ear infections
- sinusitis
- pneumonia
Bronchitis
Children and toddlers under the age of two are frequently victims of bronchitis. RSV, also known as the respiratory syncytial virus, is the cause of bronchitis, a respiratory illness.
Breathing difficulties brought on by the inflammation of the lungs’ airway passages as they get obstructed are typical symptoms. Patients who have bronchitis exhibit slight fever, nasal obstruction, wheezing and coughing.
Strep Throat
It is incredibly bothersome and uncomfortable to have a sore throat. Strep throat, however, is terrible!
A painful throat with fever brought on by an infection is known as strep throat. It affects youngsters often and is brought on by a bacterial infection. Strep throat symptoms include discomfort and difficulties swallowing food or liquids, a headache, enlarged lymph nodes, a fever, etc.
Pneumonia
Another lung infection that is prevalent in the winter is pneumonitis. A bacterial disease can be minor or severe in nature, and if it’s mild, it can usually be treated at home. However, if it’s severe, hospitalisation is also a possibility.
Pneumonia is more likely to affect those with weakened immune systems or health conditions like asthma, heart disease, or even cancer. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to identify this illness in its early stages. However, it is advised to contact a doctor if the patient has a persistent cold or a high fever.
Winter skin diseases
Winter also brings a variety of skin problems, such as itching, eczema flare-ups, psoriasis flare-ups, etc. Keeping the skin hydrated is the most important aspect of this season’s skincare regimen.
The most typical skin conditions throughout the winter include chapped lips, dry skin, flaky, itchy skin, and UV damage. Many people are unaware that you still need to put on sunscreen before going outside.
Tips to get away from winter illnesses
Winter’s chilly conditions and fewer days might sap your desire to exercise and maintain your physical fitness. A weakened immune system might result from this, increasing the likelihood that the illnesses would be contracted.
Planning ahead and using caution are the greatest ways to avoid them, as doing so is preferable to using therapeutic methods. Here are some suggestions to keep you protected from cold-related illnesses.
For cold, flu and other illnesses:
- Don’t touch your mouth or eyes. You may readily contract cold and flu viruses through your mouth and eyes. Wash your hands before touching your face.
- Go for a balanced diet. Eating well can help your immune system. Get the essential nutrients you need each day from fruits and vegetables to maintain a robust immune system.
- Stay hydrated. Numerous fluids, mainly water, help you stay healthy by flushing toxins from your body. Keep in mind that staying hydrated is just as crucial to your recovery if you do end up becoming sick.
For skin illnesses:
- Stay hydrated from the inside out by eating healthy, getting enough water, and moisturizing your skin.
- Use an exfoliator to remove dry skin from flaky skin and stay away from soaps with high PH levels.
- Additionally, avoid rubbing oneself dry after a bath.
- Use vitamin A and E-containing products if you have chapped lips. For optimal results, wet your lips with cold water before applying lip balm.
- Avoid taking a hot bath or shower since it will cause dry spots on your skin, take a warm water bath instead.
- Use a strong moisturiser and a natural cleanser for dry skin.
Final thoughts
We all love the winter season as it brings the joy of festivals and the ease of a cool breeze. But we should never turn a blind eye to our health in between the ongoing celebrations and changing seasons.
Here we have discussed the most common illnesses that one could have during winter and the tips you can keep in mind to overcome them.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checkups give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.
