by Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/photos/stockings-cup-socks-comfortable-1816094/
Around 9,700 deaths a year in the UK are believed to be caused by living in a cold house. In the UK, more people die from the cold than in colder countries such as Finland, Norway and Denmark. Keeping warm in the winter is absolutely vital to stay in good health. Getting too cold increases health risks, and is especially dangerous for the elderly and those living with chronic medical conditions.
Read on and see how cold weather affects the different organs and systems of the body –
Cold weather and your heart
The risk of a stroke or a heart attack is doubled in the cold winter months. To keep your body’s core temperature warm, blood vessels at your peripheries – fingers, hands, toes and feet are constricted, so the heart is pumping against increased resistance. Cold weather raises blood pressure. For those with a healthy heart this is not a problem, but if you have heart disease, being too cold and precipitate an attack of angina, a heart attack or a stroke.
Cold weather and your blood
Medical studies have shown an increased risk of a thrombosis (blood clot) in the winter. This is because cold temperatures increase blood coagulation – making blood stickier and easier to clot. Most often this is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg, or pulmonary embolus (PE) a clot in the lung. A stroke can be caused by a thrombosis in the cerebral vessels.
Cold weather and your lungs
Breathing in cold air can cause the bronchi – the main airways – to constrict, restricting airflow into the lungs. Those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may find that being cold can bring on an asthma attack or worsen their COPD. If they get too cold, these patients may feel breathless, wheezy, and have a worsening cough.
Cold weather and your skin
Cold air is often also dry, and the cold temperatures cause the skin to lose water, and crack open, allowing microorganisms to enter the skin. Those with chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis will often notice their skin symptoms get worse in the cold winter months. Others may develop a red, itchy skin rash known as winter itch.
Cold weather and your eyes
Cold air dries out the eyes and worsens the condition known as dry eye. Light sensitivity may be increased – which can be problematic especially if there is ice or snow. Bright light in the winter can make your eyes run. Cold weather causes red swollen eyelids. It can also cause blood vessels to constrict in the eye and cause blurred or double vision. It’s vital to wear sunglasses or goggles in the winter for outdoor sports and activities to protect the eyes and avoid U/V damage to the eye.
Cold weather and your immune system
Studies show immunity is lower in the winter. This may be because the short, dark days in the winter mean less vitamin D is made in the skin in sunlight. Vitamin D plays a major role in the immune system, and low levels of vitamin D may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and others.
The NHS recommends all UL adults and children take vitamin D supplements in the winter months. Adults should take 10 mcg (400 IU) per day. There are specific recommendations for babies and children which can be found here.
Cold weather and the brain
In the cold, the brain functions less well, with poorer executive functioning, as evidenced by poorer attention, memory and cognitive processing.
How to stay well in cold temperatures
- Keep your home warm – at least 18C or above. Make sure you find out and claim if you are eligible for the Winter fuel payments.
- Have the recommended flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccinations.
- Make sure you keep active – being sedentary means your blood and lymphatic circulation is sluggish. You can go outside, but warp up warmly in layers, wear a hat, use a scarf to protect your mouth and nose and use hand and foot warmers if needed. If you have asthma, use your blue reliever inhaled before you go outdoors.
- If you have any chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, angina, or heart failure – if your symptoms are worsening, get medical help without delay. This means phoning 999 or going to A&E.
- Diabetes can be more difficult to manage in the winter and your blood glucose and HbA1c may be elevated – don’t ignore this – get advice as soon as possible from your GP or specialist diabetic team.
Be aware of the signs of hypothermia
Around 10% of the UK population aged 65 and over are at risk of hypothermia. These are those who are frail, housebound, living in poverty, living with fuel poverty or homeless. Older people are particularly susceptible to hypothermia even when there is a mild drop in temperature and may not realise, they are suffering from it.
Signs of hypothermia include
- slow or slurred speech
- sleepiness
- shivering,
- stiffness in the arms and legs
- poor control of their bodily actions
- slow reactions
- a weak pulse
- confusion
In older people it may not be immediately obvious they are suffering from hypothermia – always have an open mind in the winter and consider hypothermia, especially in those aged 65 and older or with other chronic medical conditions.
- What steps can you take to stop the cold from affecting your health this winter?