Winter Increases Risk Of Stroke, Heart Attack And Chest Infections: Dr Naveed Nazir Shah*
Advises Elderly, Children To Avoid Unnecessary Exposure To Cold*
🔘👉🏻 Srinagar, With the onset of winter, cases of chest diseases, cardiac disorders and neurological diseases like stroke increase considerably, said renowned pulmonologist Professor Dr Naveed Nazir Shah.
Talking to GNS, Dr Shah said that as the temperature drops and humidity decreases, the local immune system becomes weak, increasing the risk of infections.
He said patients already suffering from COPD and asthma face aggravated problems during change of season, while children and elderly persons with weak immunity are also more vulnerable.
Dr Shah advised people not to go out unnecessarily in the cold, especially children and the elderly. He said that when going out is necessary, mouth and nose should be covered so that the effect of cold air is neutralized.
He said patients with existing respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma should get an annual check-up before winter from their treating doctors, so that their treatment is optimized and the risk of an attack is minimized.
Emphasizing balanced nutrition, Dr Shah said people should take a balanced diet in winters to meet the requirement of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and antioxidants.
He said people often reduce water intake in winter, but drinking adequate water boosts the immune system without any expense.
Dr Shah said vaccination is very important for high-risk patients. He said if they get the influenza vaccine before winter, the risk of viral infection can be minimized, and the pneumonia vaccine can also prove very beneficial as it can minimize the risk of life-threatening pneumonia.
On morning walks, he said morning walk is very good for health, but since cold is severe in the morning, people should walk at a time when the outside temperature is okay, and cover mouth and nose.
He added that as winter approaches, air quality index also becomes poor, so it is better to do exercises mostly indoors, as indoor exercises will be more beneficial as compared to outdoor activities.
Warning against self-medication, Dr Shah said it is a very big problem. He said people often take a cocktail of antibiotic, anti-cold medicine and cough syrup over-the-counter for cold, cough and flu, which can prove very harmful in the long term.
He said most infections in winter are viral infections, in which antibiotics do not have much role, and only symptomatic treatment in the form of paracetamol, cough syrup or anti-allergic is enough.
Dr Shah advised people not to take unnecessary medicines without examination by a medical professional, as it is harmful for the body and carries long-term risk.(GNS)
