Watch Dr Karthik from Medlife discuss the respiratory problems we face during winter. The cold, dry winter wind brings in a lot of breathing problems with it, especially for those who have lung and breathing diseases.
You may face problems like:
● Wheezing, where you breathe with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.
● You may even catch a cold that can cause coughing and shortness of breath
● Another common winter disease is Pneumonia, where the air sacs in one or both lungs get inflamed causing great trouble in breathing
● Asthma
● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where the air passage is blocked causing difficulty in breathing
● Allergic rhinitis because of dust, pet danders causing flowy nose and breathing problems
So, the first question that pops up in our head is why are breathing troubles quite common in winter? It could be because of various reasons.
● Our airways are lined with a thin mucous layer of fluid that evaporates quickly in the dry winter season. Your dry airways become more irritated and swollen, leading to breathing troubles.
● In addition to this, cold air also prompts the production of a substance known as histamine, which is normally produced during an allergic attack. Histamine triggers wheezing and other breathing trouble symptoms.
● Mucus can also play an essential role in causing breathing troubles. It is the protective layer of the throat. Mucus produced in winter increases and is much thicker and stickier than usual. This triggers blockages in the respiratory system, increasing the chances of catching a cold or other infections.
● Cold air at home can also cause breathing trouble in you because of the house dust, mould and your pet's dry skin and fur.
So, what precautions can we take during winter to avoid falling victim to breathing troubles?
● Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf when going out in the cold
● Avoid exercising outside in cold weather
● You can use a nasal saline spray or nasal saline gel to keep your nasal passage moisturized
● If you have a cold or flu, take your flu shot on time to avoid spreading it around
● Most often, winter deteriorates air pollution. So, keep a close watch on the air pollution news before stepping outside your house
● If you have grave breathing issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stay away from people who have cold, flu or fever
● In addition to that, make sure to take your medications on time!
● Last but not least, wash your hands and keep them clean.
If you are looking for the best nasal saline spray, medications or other products that will help you breathe easier this winter, you can use the user-friendly Medlife app to order top-quality over-the-counter products and medicines to get them delivered right at your home!
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