Aside from cold weather and snow, winter also brings with various potential health hazards. Fortunately, preparing for these common health hazards could help keep you and your family healthy and snug inside your home instead of in the emergency room or doctor’s office.
Here’s what you can do to ensure your health and safety during the cold winter months.
The Flu and Cold
The flu and cold viruses are prevalent during the winter months. The key to avoiding these viruses is to get a flu shot, wash your hands regularly, and strengthen your immune system. It’s likewise vital that you eat a healthy diet.
Specifically, you should reduce your sugar and dairy intake because these promote congestion and reduce the ability of your body to ward off viruses.
Frostbite
This is basically an injury that results in frozen skin. To prevent frostbite and the potential loss of a limb, wear proper winter gear, which should include layers of clothing topped off with your Obermeyer ski jacket, insulated socks, gloves, a hat, scarf, and a facemask if needed.
When outside, always move around to ensure proper blood flow to all your body parts.
Indoor Allergies
Among the most common allergens you’ll face during the winter season are pet dander, mold, and dust mites. Fighting off allergies will require strengthening your immune system and reducing your allergen exposure.
Pay close attention to what you eat because certain foods could increase your system’s inflammatory response and pave the way for allergies to come to life.
Heart Problems
Various heart issues usually crop during winter, especially in men. Safeguard your heart by ensuring that your core body temperature is always up. Do this by wearing the right winter gear. It is likewise very vital that you take ample breaks and hydrate yourself when doing any physical activity.
Also, it’s a good idea to go to your doctor to see if you have cardiovascular risks such as high cholesterol or blood pressure.
Hypothermia
This potentially fatal condition happens when the body’s core temperature goes down below 90oF. Fortunately, hypothermia is easily preventable. Don’t spend too much time outside when it’s freezing and if you must, always wear proper winter gear.
It’s also crucial to pay close attention to infants and the elderly as they are naturally more susceptible to hypothermia due to their underdeveloped or compromised immune systems.
The Winter Blues
Winter blues are very real, but you can try to ease it by doing simple things – working out regularly, doing breathing and meditation exercises, and laughing and doing fun activities with family and friends. But if you believe that your winter blues might be something more serious, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor.
Common Winter Season Injuries
Winter sports, shoveling snow, and merely walking on slippery roads are common causes of various winter season injuries. Prevent injury by warming up before performing any physical activity, resting when needed, not overdoing it, eating right, and regularly hydrating yourself.
Wearing the right footwear could also reduce the risk of slips and falls.
So be on the lookout for these common health hazards come wintertime so you can take the necessary steps to safeguard your entire family and enjoy the season instead of suffering through it.