Potential Winter Health Hazards

The weather has become extremely unpredictable and full of surprises. In the past few weeks, the city has witnessed acute climatic fluctuations that shift from extremely hot and sunny afternoon to cool and pleasant evenings. In the midst of these climatic variations, what’s undeniable is the fact that winter is soon approaching. Even though you may feel like chilling out & enjoying the weather during the colder months, make sure you do not neglect your health in the process. Protect yourself from potential winter health hazards

• As the cold weather sets in, people suffering from upper and lower respiratory problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma endure a lot of discomfort which often leads to medical emergencies. Keeping the body warm during winter months is therefore extremely important.Tip – Cover-up your body the moment you feel cold. Don’t wait till you start shivering. It is recommended to wear, gloves, socks, scarves, woolen hat and/or anything that keeps your body warm & comfortable.
  Winter has long been associated with sickness. Experts advise people to get their routine vaccinations and periodic tests in order to diagnose a viral infection or any other winter ailment that’s about to strike.
• Seasonal changes are accompanied with several bacterial infections to which the elderly and children are highly susceptible. In addition to lazy mornings and blanket hideouts, winter also brings with it an array of diseases which can be prevented with a healthy immune system.Tip – Fill-up your grocery bag with lots of fresh fruits & veggies, especially those that are rich in Vitamin A, C & E. A strong immune system, safeguards the body from a host of winter ailments
• In cold weather, the body circulates less blood to the peripheral areas in order to conserve warm blood around the heart. This leads to stiffening of joints, thereby resulting in aches & pains. Osteoarthritis patients with Vitamin D deficiency also have an extremely hard time during wintry months.Tip – Vitamin D plays an important role in the production of cartilage and helps the body absorb calcium, thereby strengthening the bones. During winter, it is less likely to get sufficient amounts of vitamin D from the natural environment hence follow a Vitamin D rich diet. You can also count on Vitamin D supplements
• Also known as the winter vomiting bug, Norovirus is an extremely infectious stomach bug that is known to be very active in cold weather. Young children and the senior citizens are at a high riskTip – Constant vomiting and diarrhea increases the risk of dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and rest sufficiently
• Heart attacks seem to be very common during the winter months because cold snaps increase blood pressure and put more strain on the heart.Tip – Keep your body warm as much as you can
• Harsh winter winds can be devastating for your skin, making it dull, dry & cracked.Tip – Do not forget to moisturize your skin on a daily basis. The best time to apply a moisturizer is after a bath while the skin is still moist. It is best to avoid bathing with extremely hot water as doing so can take away the natural moisturizers from the skin.

Heavy unseasonal rains have been pounding over various parts of Tamil Nadu and neighboring Puducherry causing flood like situation and throwing life out of gear.

Did you know…?

Flooding can trigger a host of health issues for the general population, sometimes even resulting in death and injury. Other potential outcomes include contaminated drinking water, dangerous material spills, increased population of disease-carrying insects and bugs, dingy houses, and public disturbance

Mumbai was also caught off-guard when heavy rains lashed in different parts of the city on Saturday, last week. Experts at the weather office have predicted a certain amount of rain showers to continue in different parts of the country. Although these unexpected showers have caused a slight temperature drop, it has also exposed us to a host of illnesses. Unseasonal rainfall caught many regular commuters off guard. With no defense, people had no choice but to get wet in the rains resulting in an increase in the cases of viral fever.

Abrupt climate change impacts our health and wellbeing. It not only worsens several existing diseases and conditions, but also opens the door for new pests and pathogens to enter our environment. Climate change in the form of unseasonal rainfall also affects the air movement and quality thus promoting the growth of airborne allergens and pollution which causes significant damage to the human health. Another aspect of unseasonal rainfall is the damage caused to the crops resulting in food contamination and shortage.

People who are the most affected and highly vulnerable to diseases due to natural climate fluctuations are children, elderly and the ailing population. The underprivileged section of our society is also affected severely as a result of unexpected changes in the temperature levels

Dry climate before the recent spell of unseasonal rainfall can be conducive for virus growth. Experts believe, rapid fluctuation in temperature initiates an influx of virus which triggers upper respiratory infection

What’s more… pollution and water accumulation in potholes caused by heavy rainfall could add to the mosquito menace thus increasing the risk of illnesses like Swine flu, Dengue and Malaria

Since past few years, unexpected climate changes have been occurring at an increasingly rapid rate. Climatic change that shifts from high levels of heat during the day to heavy rainfall at night may make conditions ripe for disease spread. Such changes have to be actively supervised with co-ordinated responses in all aspects of their impacts on human society, including health.

All set to embark on a relaxing journey to your favorite destination?

Make sure you don’t leave your good eating habits behind.

Holiday excitement often overshadows the body’s needs for nourishment, resulting in mindless eating and over indulgence of food & alcohol which could negate all the health improvements that you may have achieved so far.

Why fill up on unhealthy munchies when you can make delicious and healthy food choices?

These diet tips will ensure that you return from your vacation with loads of happy memories and no extra body weight

It is feasible to eat right on a vacation. All you have to do is conduct a proper research on the available food options and local cuisines in that area. If you have a clear picture of all the food items that are easily accessible at your holiday destination, it would be easier to make smart swaps when eating out

Stay hydrated at all times. Throughout the trip, keep a few bottles of water easily accessible and sip once in every few minutes. Lack of water intake could trigger false hunger signals thus making you eat more than you need

Have 1 glass of milk daily.  Milk supplies the body with a host of important nutrients and is also a great pick for satisfying the untimely hunger pangs. Grab a few extra cartons of Milk on your trip but not without checking their expiry dates.

Making smart food choices and monitoring the portion size is extremely important when it comes to eating healthy on a vacation. Restaurants often serve food in a large quantity. The trick is to order for something that is not only healthy but tempts your taste buds and satisfies your hunger at the same time. Salads, soups, stews, milkshakes, smoothies etc. although filling, doesn’t have a negative impact on your body. Also, chew your food properly before gulping. Eating food in a hurry often results in overeating therefore slow down and savor every bite as much as you can.

Enjoy a Dessert but share it with a buddy or family member. This way you can split the calories

Avoid skipping meals. Very often people tend to skip a meal while vacationing which is simply not acceptable as it could lead to a serious amount of binge eating later on at the next meal.

Quit the caffeine dependency. Coffee is served in many different ways across the globe and the temptation to gulp down this ‘pick-me-up’ drink can sometimes be overwhelming especially if all you need is jolt of quick energy while holidaying. Too much of caffeine can sometimes cause irritability and nervousness which is just not what you need on a vacation hence moderation is the key

Limit your alcohol intake. To prevent fatigue and reduce jet lag, be sure to load up on fresh water and juices.

Staying on the right track with healthy eating is attainable when you plan in advance and select food wisely.

Did you know…?

At present, it is estimated that 1 in 23 women is likely to develop breast cancer and according to a recently concluded study, these figures are expected to double by 2030

After 20 years of age, it is recommended for every woman to regularly perform breast self-exams and go for periodic breast screenings at least once in 2 years. Most women who lead a healthy lifestyle believe that they can never be diagnosed with a breast cancer but this kind of wishful thinking can sometimes take you into troubled waters.

Like many women across the globe, you too might wonder as to why is it so important to go for a breast screening?

The answer is simple – Breast cancer can happen to anyone and early detection is the best defense against it

Regarded as the most common cancer affecting Indian women, breast cancer is also one of the most curable cancers if diagnosed early. Screening refers to medical tests and exams that help in discovering a disease that hasn’t started to show any symptoms. Breast cancers that are detected through symptoms are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast. When the cancer spreads beyond the breast, it is referred to as “metastatic” and is expected to affect to the bones, liver, and lungs. On the other hand, cancer that is detected through periodic screening exams is often smaller and still confined to the breast. Also, the earlier this cancer is detected, the less likely it is that the person would have to undergo a mastectomy (breast removal) or chemotherapy.

Breast cancer screening is often misconstrued as means to prevent this disease whereas what it actually does, is reduce the chances of late detection thus improving the survival rate of patients. Mammography is the single most screening and diagnostic technology that can detect breast cancer at an early stage. It is important to find cancers as early as possible. Lack of awareness and ignorance about this disease has resulted in late detection, especially due to many patients opting for alternative treatments offered by quacks, who claim to treat cancer without surgery or chemotherapy. Many reach the hospital at an advanced stage whereby the cancer has spread to an extent that very little can be done to help them.

Having a family history of breast cancer increases a woman’s risk for developing this disease later in life which is why screening is crucial. Similarly, the probability of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age, therefore women between the age group of 50 to 70 are routinely expected to go for a breast cancer screening once in every 3 years.

Breast cancer cannot be predicted but few important measures if undertaken from time to time can certainly reduce the risk and increase the odds that if cancer does occur, it will be identified early at a curable stage. Almost 90% breast cancer cases are diagnosed through advanced screening techniques.  Periodic screening and early diagnosis can save lives!

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital features a Comprehensive Breast Care Unit (CBCU) that is well-equipped with state-of-the-art radiation machines and day care chemo suites to specifically diagnose and treat all kinds of breast related diseases. To know more, visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer/comprehensivebreastcareunit.html

Did you know…?

It takes approximately 15 to 20 seconds to wash the hands properly but studies indicate that on an average a person takes not more than 6 seconds to do it. It is estimated that 95 % of people follow an improper hand washing technique.

Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to eliminate germs and prevent diseases from spreading. Washing your hands with soap can prevent the transmission of several pathogens and is therefore more effective than any single vaccine.

Approximately 2 to 10 million bacteria are present between our fingertip and elbow. Soap and water when combined together for hand washing can successfully get rid of dust and dirt but may not necessarily kill the bacteria

The efficiency of hand washing depends on the right technique

• Run your hands under the tap water
• Apply soap and rub them together (palm-to-palm) to make a lather
• Now rub the right palm above the left hand with interwoven fingers (repeated the action with the other hand)
• Scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
• Rinse hands with water
• Dry thoroughly with towel

In the absence of soap and water, you can use a hand sanitizer. Opt for Alcohol based hand sanitizers as they are proven to be more effective in eliminating the number of microbes on hands

• Take one or two squirts of the hand sanitizer in your palm
• Rub them together.
• Scrub also the front and back, between fingers, around and under nails
• Allow the hands to dry

On an average, a person touches his/her face almost 16 times in an hour. If your hands aren’t clean, diseases spread easily. Even though washing your hands gets rid of germs, there’s a right time and place to do it

• After using the washroom
• Before & after meal preparations (especially while handling raw meat, poultry and/or seafood)
• Before & after meal consumption
• After sneezing and coughing
• After petting animals or handling animal waste
• Before & after nursing an ailing patient
• After visiting a public place
• After touching open wounds
• After changing a child’s diaper
• Before wearing a contact lens and while removing the same
• Anytime your hands are dirty

It is estimated that washing hands with soap at key times can reduce diarrhea rates by over 40% and acute respiratory infections (ARI’s) by approximately 23%

Children are extremely vulnerable to germs and infections’; hence instilling good health and hygiene habits from early childhood is a must. Encouraging them to wash their hands frequently will ensure that this practice turns into a lifelong routine.