Colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses are more common in colder months. The Holiday stress often triggers more occurrence of these winter illnesses in January due to compromised immune systems. How would one deal with winter months ailments?
Common Cold & Flu
You probably have a runny nose, scratchy throat, fever, fatigue, chills, headaches and body aches. And you probably are sneezing and coughing. It’s one the most common illness in winter months and are blamed for the most days off work or school and the most visits to health care providers.
See a doctor if: Symptoms get worse, you have new symptoms, or if you have a condition or situation that makes you vulnerable to flu complications. Listen to your body, don’t fight it as it can lead to complications.
Prevention: properly wash hands regularly. This destroys bugs that you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light switches and door handles.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus. It can also cause shortness of breath, wheezing, a low fever, and chest tightness. It too can resemble a common cold before it progresses into a more serious illness with wheezing, difficulty breathing, and dehydration.
About 5 percent of adults and 6 percent of children are diagnosed with acute bronchitis in the U.S. each year.
See a doctor if: Symptoms don’t improve, or if they get worse.
Prevention: Don’t smoke. Wash your hands often, use soap and water. If you catch a cold, get plenty of rest and see a doctor.
Sinus Infection
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the hollow cavities around the cheek bones, found behind the nose and around the eyes. Sinus problems are usually considered seasonal, more prevalent in Spring and Summer. Winter also causes sinus problems due to cold weather and closed, damp houses without proper ventilation.
The most common causes of sinusitis are allergies, common cold or flu.
Prevention: Don’t smoke. Get a flu shot each year. Wash Hands properly. Treat the common cold and flu timely, delayed treatment can cause more complications.
