Tips to Help You Maintain Your Respiratory Health During Winters

Though respiratory diseases can happen at any time during the year, some of them are more prevalent during winter due to various reasons.

Foggy mornings and chilly evenings tell us that winter has finally arrived. While this season brings a lot of festivities and family gatherings, for many, it also means resurfacing of health issues – especially, respiratory illnesses.

Though respiratory diseases can happen at any time during the year, some of them are more prevalent during winter due to various reasons.

• Fog combined with higher levels of pollution (smog) irritates our airways
• Disease transmission is accelerated during winter due to poor ventilation indoors
• People with pre-existing conditions like Asthma or COPD tend to have an exacerbation, i.e. worsening of their symptoms. The frequency of Asthma attacks also increases because the cold weather makes them more susceptible to infections and they tend to spend more time indoors where allergens like dust mites, pet hairs and mold causes the allergies to flare up

New-Onset Respiratory Diseases That Occur Often During Winters Include:

• Common cold, as the name suggests, are quite common and very contagious. Although usually mild and self-limiting, they can lead to a lot of malaise and discomfort. A common cold can be caused by many different types of viruses
• Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is also a viral infection caused by specific Influenza viruses, but is more severe than a common cold
• Bronchitis is when the tubes that carry air to your lungs, get inflamed and swollen. You end up with a nagging cough and phlegm
• Pneumonia happens when an infection causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid or pus. That can make it hard for you to breathe in enough oxygen to reach your bloodstream
• Acute Sinusitis causes the spaces inside your nose (Sinuses) to become inflamed and swollen. This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up leading to a blocked nose and headaches

Here is How You Can Maintain Your Respiratory Health:

• Regulate body temperature by layering with comfortably warm clothes
• Keep your hands clean and free of germs. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with dirty hands
• If the air quality is bad around your place, avoid morning jogs as the toxic pollutants are at a peak during that time. You can replace them with indoor aerobic activities
• Incorporate some breathing exercises in order to enhance your lung capacity
• Keep your home clean of dust, mold, and allergens. Clean your bedding, carpets, rugs, and sofas regularly
• Do not smoke, and avoid crowded places
• Have good ventilation at home; you could try using an air purifier or a humidifier
• Stay hydrated to keep the airways clean. Take steam as suggested by your doctor, but do not try random home remedies that may further aggravate the problem
• Consume a natural nutritious diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Citrus fruits, turmeric and ginger are among some of the foods that help build immunity
• Avoid processed, junk, fried, oily, and canned food that are loaded with preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors. They may cause throat irritation
• When advised by your doctor, do take vaccines for Flu and Pneumonia
• Those with pre-existing lung conditions or susceptible people like senior citizens should have follow-ups with their doctor and ensure that their prescriptions are updated

Remember, these are just a few things you can do to stay protected. In case, you witness symptoms that are alarming, it is best to consult your doctor.

(Authored by Dr Sujata Chakravarti, Consultant-General Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital)