Inhalation of cold and moist air threatens the delicate lung tissue that is sensitive to low temperatures. Doctors warn that this can cause “narrowing of the airways” and a feeling of shortness of breath. Asthmatics are especially susceptible to this type of ailment. Check who else should not leave the house on cold days.
Asthma sufferers should minimize outdoor activities on very cold and windy days. At temperatures below a dozen or so degrees Celsius, they may experience shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. Doctors warn that an asthma attack can occur after just 15-30 minutes of exposure to adverse conditions.
Who needs to be afraid of low temperatures?
people with diabetes
Doctors do not recommend leaving the house in cold weather and diabetics. Under the influence of cold, changes in blood circulation occur. If you feel dizzy or weak after returning home, check your blood sugar levels, doctors advise. People with diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage should be especially wary of the cold, as they often don’t feel like their feet are getting too cold and are more likely to get frostbite.
suffers from arthritis
Arthritis can make itself felt in very cold weather. In winter, at low temperatures, pain symptoms intensify in patients. Experts advise patients not to forget to take anti-inflammatory drugs before leaving the house on cold days. Also, colds and infections increase the pain in the joints, to which we are more susceptible in winter. Therefore, arthritis patients should avoid them.
cancer patients
Cancer and its treatment reduce natural immunity. Patients are more at risk of serious complications that can occur after influenza and other viral infections that worsen in winter. They should try to avoid them by limiting their walks in cold weather.
“If someone has cancer and is being treated for it, they are at particular risk to their health by going outside in very cold weather,” said Donald Ford, family physician at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, quoted by Everyday Health.
so-called “vascular people”
Low temperatures increase the load on the cardiovascular system. When it’s cold, the heart works harder, which increases the risk of a heart attack. People suffering from heart disease should especially avoid strenuous exercise in cold weather. Even snow removal around the house can be harmful, which we often do not realize, says the expert.
How to protect yourself from hypothermia?
Risk of hypothermia, i.e. hypothermia, increases wetting and perspiration. Therefore, it is very important that people who are outdoors in winter are properly dressed to prevent them from getting wet in the rain or sweating during exercise. In winter, not only sick people often catch colds, but also people in good shape, for example, runners.
“When temperatures drop below 25 degrees and you’re sweating, wear a synthetic base layer that wicks away moisture, sweaters made from natural fibers, and a down jacket that’s waterproof and windproof,” the expert advises.
Source: Wprost
