BP and joint pain worsen with chill
WINTER BLUES
As the temperatures go down, problems related to heart, blood pressure and diabetes go up. The reasons are a combination of cold weather and lifestyle, especially of patients already suffering from such diseases.
“Winter in Delhi is quite unpredictable. This time the sudden drop in temperature is creating trouble for Delhiites, especially for elderly people and children,” says Dr A K Jhingan, diabetologist and president, Delhi Diabetes Research Centre. He also adds that people are more susceptible to diseases when they travel during foggy weather.
“In Delhi, fog is accompanied by suspended dust particles. Thus, respiratory problems increase this time,” says Jhingan. The tendency to drink less water during winters compounds the problem. Jhingan further adds, “Patients, who have been treated for stone in kidney, develop fresh stones by March. The reason is drinking less water during winters.”
Low temperature of the body leads to drowsiness and fast pulse rate. Thus, blood pressure of the body falls. This makes heart problems more complicated. “We receive a high number of cases of heart attacks and brain strokes. In winters, arterial changes take place and hormonal cycles change, increasing possibility of attacks and strokes, especially during early morning. Asthmatic attacks also go up,” informs Dr S V Madhu, head and professor, Department of Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.
According to health experts, lack of exercise is the main problem. “People tend to exercise less during winters. In addition, they wear heavy coats and shawls which restrict movement of shoulders. Thus, joint pain is a common problem in this season,” says Dr V B Bhasin, vice chairperson, Orthopedics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
However, morning walks should be avoided due to cold weather. “It is recommended that timing of morning walks be around 10 am in winter, rather than early in the morning as it can be dangerous to health,” sums up Jhingan.
Ways to keep healthy this winter:
* Keep exercising. Lack of physical work is the main cause of troubled health in winters.
* Wear multi-layer clothing, instead of only one layer of warm clothing. Air is a bad conductor of heat and thus, insulates the body from low temperature outside
* War headwear, especially for children, it is a must.
* Daily diet should include nuts like almonds and groundnuts.
* Citrus fruit should be a part of food.
* Roadside shakarkandi salad is a good warmer for body.
* Early morning walks should be avoided.
