Chill Pills

THANKS to India’s vast geographical spread, winter never means the same thing to every Indian. But no matter where you live, the droppi...

THANKS to India’s vast geographical spread, winter never means the same thing to every Indian. But no matter where you live, the dropping temperature brings with it attendant ills, be it a runny nose, arthritic pains or diabetic worries. All it takes to make the most of the weather are a few precautions.

Colds: More than a 100 viruses cause colds, so few people can escape being exposed to at least one of them. Colds can trigger upper respiratory infections when the weather is changing. Once it enters the body through the nose or throat, the virus begins to multiply, causing symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, aches, mild fever, congestion or cough.

Remedy:
• Limit exposure to atmospheric pollution, which rises during the festive season
• Take a mild pain reliever. Avoid unnecessary activity and stay in bed as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids, especially soups and juices
• Perform mild exercises
• Inhale neem-infused steam
• Try garlic soup
• Boil ginger, tulsi and honey (if there’s no phlegm) with water and drink up

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Chills and fever: These are the symptoms of a flu. Like the cold bug, it travels very fast from the throat to the lungs and though its symptoms are similar to a cold, flu tends to be more severe and lasts longer.

Remedy: “Severe cases require hospitalisation, especially for the elderly if there are respiratory problems, since flu can develop into pneumonia,’’ says Dr Anoop Misra, professor of internal medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi. For others, Misra recommends bed rest, a mild pain reliever and lots of fluids.

Arthritis: This is one of those conditions that is not caused by winter, but definitely gets affected by it.

Prevention: The only preventive measure is to avoid extreme temperatures, says Misra. Nutritionist Shikha Sharma warns against sugar, maida, ghee, cold foods and dal. Also keep a strict check on meat consumption.

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Asthma: Sharma suggests consuming lots of warm water and other fluids, such as chamomile and jasmine tea. Avoid dairy products. Also, follow the one-third principle: one-third each of food, water and air.

Heart conditions: People with heart problems need to take special care. ‘‘The increased atmospheric pollution allows less oxygen to travel to the heart. This leads to extra stress and can trigger heart attacks,’’ warns Misra. ‘‘Proper medication, check-ups and regular exercise are a must.’’

On the diet front, control salt intake. Avoid heavy dinners and alcohol. A little wine is all that is permissible. Include curry leaves, sprouted methi, oats, soy atta and soy cubes in your meals.

Hypothermia: A drop in body temperature to 95° F or less is a real danger in the hills, especially for the elderly, since their bodies do not adjust quickly to temperature changes. Signs of hypothermia include forgetfulness, drowsiness, slurred speech, change in appearance (for example, puffy face), weak pulse, slow heartbeat, and slow, shallow breathing.

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Provide the patient with hot water bottles and warm blankets, then call a doctor. Never try to manage it alone.