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Cold wave takes its toll on residents? health
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 12
The sudden dip in temperature is taking its toll on the health of Chandigarhians. If cold and cough have become common, doctors are reporting a rise in the number of people with symptoms of sinusitis, acute bronchitis and even pneumonia. And, the low temperatures are affecting heart patients too.
?A number of patients have to be admitted to the ICU with respiratory troubles caused by the sudden chill. This problem has compounded in the past seven days,? said a senior doctor of the PGI.
Also, an increase of about 20 per cent in incidents of cardiac arrest has been noticed compared to warmer months, as low temperatures increase the possibility of spasms in arteries.
"The main problem faced by cardiac patients in winters is greater chances of increased blood pressure levels. This, in turn, increases the needed quantity of BP controlling medicines," said a cardiologist. The incidences are higher in India as we do not live in artificially regulated temperature.
"It is therefore, imperative, for people with heart ailments to take as much precaution as possible to prevent exposure to cold," he said. For all those who have a routine for early morning walks, should delay it to post-sunrise.
"The appropriate time to venture out for morning walks in the winter months should be 8:30 am as the early morning chill has subsided, with the sun appearing on the skies," said a doctor.
While the season affects everybody in the same way, increasing the amount of labour required by the heart, a person with a normal heart hardly feels the increased level of stress. The same can be dangerous for a person with a history of cardiac ailments.
"People having a healthy heart will not even realise that the muscle in their chest has increased its labour by over four times or 400 per cent. However, this can be harmful for a cardiac patient."
With general cold-related ailments like common cold and cough also increasing the chances of cardiac attacks, some doctors also advise administering of anti-cold vaccines right at the outset of winter.
HOW TO BE HEALTHY IN COLD
Avoid exposure to chilly winds. Nasal steam and gargling with warm water can restrict the spread of cold infection (If left untreated, this may lead to more serious respiratory infection).
Avoid passing through dug-up roads to prevent exposure to dust and other infections that may exacerbate asthma and bronchitis infections.
WHAT WINTER?S GOT...
Cold and cough
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Heart trouble
Acute bronchitis
Gastric viral infection
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 12
The sudden dip in temperature is taking its toll on the health of Chandigarhians. If cold and cough have become common, doctors are reporting a rise in the number of people with symptoms of sinusitis, acute bronchitis and even pneumonia. And, the low temperatures are affecting heart patients too.
?A number of patients have to be admitted to the ICU with respiratory troubles caused by the sudden chill. This problem has compounded in the past seven days,? said a senior doctor of the PGI.
Also, an increase of about 20 per cent in incidents of cardiac arrest has been noticed compared to warmer months, as low temperatures increase the possibility of spasms in arteries.
"The main problem faced by cardiac patients in winters is greater chances of increased blood pressure levels. This, in turn, increases the needed quantity of BP controlling medicines," said a cardiologist. The incidences are higher in India as we do not live in artificially regulated temperature.
"It is therefore, imperative, for people with heart ailments to take as much precaution as possible to prevent exposure to cold," he said. For all those who have a routine for early morning walks, should delay it to post-sunrise.
"The appropriate time to venture out for morning walks in the winter months should be 8:30 am as the early morning chill has subsided, with the sun appearing on the skies," said a doctor.
While the season affects everybody in the same way, increasing the amount of labour required by the heart, a person with a normal heart hardly feels the increased level of stress. The same can be dangerous for a person with a history of cardiac ailments.
"People having a healthy heart will not even realise that the muscle in their chest has increased its labour by over four times or 400 per cent. However, this can be harmful for a cardiac patient."
With general cold-related ailments like common cold and cough also increasing the chances of cardiac attacks, some doctors also advise administering of anti-cold vaccines right at the outset of winter.
HOW TO BE HEALTHY IN COLD
Avoid exposure to chilly winds. Nasal steam and gargling with warm water can restrict the spread of cold infection (If left untreated, this may lead to more serious respiratory infection).
Avoid passing through dug-up roads to prevent exposure to dust and other infections that may exacerbate asthma and bronchitis infections.
WHAT WINTER?S GOT...
Cold and cough
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Heart trouble
Acute bronchitis
Gastric viral infection
