Keeping Winter Allergies at bay

Amongst all seasons, winter is the most awaited & enjoyable period of the year but this is also the time when illnesses, infections & allergies are at their peak. Fever, runny nose, itchy/red/ watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing and sore throat are very common during misty weather. If you think that you’ll be safe by staying indoors, then you are sadly mistaken. Many indoor allergens like mould, house dust mites, animal dander and perfumes are known to trigger allergies that can easily have a negative impact on your health. Seasonal pollens that permeate the air (when temperature drops) are largely responsible for most people falling sick in winter. It’s absolutely impossible to protect ourselves from coming in contact with these pollens. What we can do is, build a strong immune system by making the right food choices (seasonal fruits &vegetables, milk and protein rich food) in winter. Apart from this, there are a few precautionary measures that could also protect you from winter allergies:

• During winter, most people keep their doors & windows shut in order to avoid cold winds but doing so allows the indoor air pollutants to swirl around our homes and become twice as concentrated. We hear a lot of coughing & sneezing in many households and a chilly weather is not the only one to be blamed for it – allergens are too.
• Keep your home clean, hygienic & dirt-free. Wash all bed sheets, pillow covers, table cloths etc. at least once a week in order to keep dust mites away. If you are allergic to dust, wear a mask or cover your nose with a clean cloth while dusting, cleaning and/or vacuuming. This will decrease your exposure to dust and other airborne pollutants. Sufficient ventilation within your home can also prevent growth of moulds
• If you have pets at home, vacuum the furniture, carpet and floor on a daily basis. Give them a bath at least once a week. It is best not to allow them to climb on the bed.
• If you are using a room heater, make sure to replace its furnace filter so as to In order to improve the indoor air quality
• Do not smoke indoors especially if there is no ventilation within the room. Remember, being in close proximity of smokers can easily aggravate coughing and breathing problems in those who are sensitive to winter allergies. Sometimes, Agarbatti smoke can also act as a trigger. It is best to maintain a minimum level of humidity in your home. You can prevent growth of dust mites with the help of a humidifier and dehumidifier
• Get rid of mold spores. They are basically fungus that normally dwells in damp and humid places like bathrooms and kitchen sink. Keep a close watch to check if there is any kind of mold breeding in different spots within your home
• Regardless of the season, extreme exposure to sun rays is always harmful to your skin. Rashes and skin allergies are common during winter too. Ward off the harmful effects of UV rays by using a good quality sunscreen before stepping outdoors.
• Eat the right food. Green tea is known to have an excellent impact on health when consumed in winter. Similarly, certain foods like cucumber, ice-cream, bananas, cheese, yoghurt etc. have a reputation of causing an allergic reaction in many, especially for those suffering from asthma problem. Food items that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants protect your immune system and keep you away from allergies. Also keep yourself adequately hydrated and take plenty of rest.

No matter what season it is, you must never ignore allergies. If you have suddenly developed dark circles under the eyes, runny nose, constant sneezing, itchy & watery eyes, it could be an allergic reaction. Schedule at check-up at your nearest medical facility and start the treatment at the earliest.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital offers a broad range of services including diagnosis, treatment and management of all kinds of illnesses. To know more, visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com

Christmas vacations have begun and it’s time to start packing your belongings to visit your favorite destination. Although you may be looking forward to have a great time away from home, with your loved ones, certain undesirable & unexpected circumstances could end up ruining your holidays. In order to avoid such an event, follow these essential tips that could ensure a safe & healthy vacation:

Plan a visit to your general physician for a general medical check-up so as to ensure that you are physically fit to go on a trip. It is also important to keep the contact numbers of your physician/healthcare provider handy so that you can be in touch with them and obtain medical advice as & when needed

Do not forget to carry all prescription & non-prescription medicines for emergencies. Also ensure that these medicines are placed in your handbag or in a place that’s easily accessible. It would also be a good idea to carry a small first-aid kit with basic medical supplies, just in case you or anyone else is injured during the trip

Try to avoid outside food as much as possible. If the distance travelled is short, you can also pack some home-made food for the journey. Food cooked in railway canteens and also those that are purchased from roadside stalls can be unhygienic and cause stomach infections, with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting

Avoid visiting places that have been reported as medically unsafe or the ones that are presently having an outbreak.

Since its winter season, and most holiday spots are freezing during this time of the year, make sure that you carry plenty of woolen clothes to keep you warm.

If you are travelling with kids, make sure you have all the essentials, including baby food and medicines before you leave home. Long hours of travelling can make them uneasy and cranky at times. It is in times like these when you can use their favorite toy or a snack in order to distract them.

If you are travelling by car, it is highly essential to follow the traffic rules. Remember… by not doing so you will not only be risking your own life but also the life of your loved ones. Drinking & Driving is an absolute ‘No-No’. Always wear the seat belts and do not SMS or talk on your mobile phone while driving. If possible drive during the day. Nighttime driving can prove to be risky in many ways.

Be flexible and mentally prepared for all kinds of emergencies. Sometimes inspite of proper planning, things may not go as expected. Hotel mix-ups, delayed flights and minor accidents are pretty common during trips. Do not fret too much over such instances and try not to get overly stressed about the same. Just realize the fact that certain things are beyond our control and try to come up with solutions to deal with the problem.

The only way that you can enjoy your trip is if you keep your calm at all times.

Winter is a fantastic time to enjoy the weather outside. In addition to lazy mornings and blanket hideouts, this season also brings with it an array of diseases which can be prevented with a healthy immune system. Staying healthy isn’t just about having a shapely body; it is more about having a strong immune system that can defeat invading pathogens. With easy access to an assortment of colorful fruits and vegetables, winter is the perfect time to stock-up on nutritious foods that boost the immune system.

Enjoy a healthy winter by adding these superfoods to your daily diet:

Honey – Popular for its anti-bacterial properties, Honey is known to be highly effective in keeping fever & cold at bay during winter. Consume 1 spoon of honey daily. You can also add a spoonful of honey to 1 cup of warm water/milk to enhance the taste. In addition to safeguarding your immune system, Honey is also known to promote weight loss when used as a natural sweetener.

Citrus Fruits – Load up on Sweet lime, Oranges & Lemons as they are available in abundance during winter. Packed with Vitamin C, Flavonoids, Antioxidants and many more nutrients, Citrus fruits are just what you need to keep up the good health. You can consume it in its natural form or as fresh juices, either ways; you will not only boost your immunity during winters but also control your cholesterol levels.

Leafy greens – You might have heard this several times before but the benefits of Dark green colored, leafy vegetables are quite a lot to be ignored. Fenugreek (Methi), Cabbage (Gobhi), Spinach (Palak), and Lettuce are quite visible in the markets during this season. Pick the freshest looking bunch of these green leafy vegetables and add them to your daily diet in the form of soups, salads, juices and/or curries. Being easily digestible, these healthy veggies are suitable for all age groups and not to forget, they come with plenty of health benefits.

Fish – Winter is that time of the year when Vitamin D deficiency becomes a concern for many. This sunshine vitamin is absolutely essential to keep up the body’s immunity levels. Both Salmon and Mackerel are oily fishes that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which not only reduces blood pressure and triglyceride levels but also minimize harmful inflammation in the body.

Garlic – In spite of its pungent taste, Garlic has several immunity boosting compounds that play an important role in fighting off many winter ailments including cold & flu. Much-admired for its antibacterial and anti-viral properties, this superfood also contains a special compound called ‘Allicin’ which is known to possess potent medicinal properties. For best results, chew a garlic clove, every 4 to 5 five hours. If the taste is too strong for you, crush a clove and mix it with honey before consuming.

Mushrooms possess potassium, vitamins, fibre and antioxidants that combat common cold and strengthen the immune system

With the temperatures dropping down, it is highly essential to protect your body from various health issues, most importantly joint pain which is a common complaint during wintry weather.

In cold weather, sometimes 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.

Also, when the skin gets cold, pain sensors start working at a faster pace which is why during this season things often hurt more than they normally would.

Another reason could be that people tend to feel lazy & lethargic to indulge in most kinds of physical activities when it’s very cold outside and this too results in the stiffening of joints which triggers pain.

If you suffer from arthritis pain during winter, you’re certainly not alone. These simple pain relief tips can surely be of some help:

If it’s cold outside, make sure to keep yourself warm at all times with adequate clothing. Cover-up your hands/feet with woolen gloves, socks and added layers over knees and legs. Warm clothes increase the body’s temperature and improve blood circulation thereby reducing aches & pains.

Take warm baths. Use water that is not too cold & not too hot. Pat the skin dry and allow your body temperature to normalize before walking out of the bathroom.

Osteoarthritis patients with Vitamin D deficiency have an extremely hard time during wintry months. 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 which is why there are chances that your joint pain may worsen during this season. Ensure that your diet is vitamin D-rich. This may also be a good time to start taking your Vitamin D supplements.

While venturing outdoors, wear good-quality shoes that provide optimum comfort to your knees and heels while walking and try to walk on a surface.

The very prominent, Heat & Cold Therapy will also help you to ease the Arthritis pain in winter. Place hot packs or warm towels on the inflamed joints. This therapy improves blood flow and increases the tolerance for pain and flexibility whereas cold therapy that includes application of cold packs, ice massages and soothing ointments numbs the nerves around the joints, thereby giving similar results.

Tea, Coffee, Aerated Drinks & Alcoholic beverages reduce the amount of calcium you absorb which leaves a negative impact on your bones, therefore keep them at bay.

Stay active indoors with a well-planned exercise regime. Doing so will not only help you maintain a healthy body weight but also strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility.

Try to soak up the sun either in the morning or evening. It will not only keep you warm but also deliver vital nutrients to the body.

Do you fall ill at the onset of winter season?

Do you find it difficult to get out of bed when it’s cold outside?

If yes, then let me tell you, you’re not the only one to feel this way!

Winter has long been associated with sickness. Seasonal changes are accompanied with several bacterial infections which is why necessary steps should be taken to safeguard your health. 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.

Breeze through this season and keep those winter health woes at bay with these simple tips:

Take good care of your Immune system – Fill-up your grocery bag with lots of fresh fruits & veggies, especially those that are rich in Vitamin A, C & E. If your immune system is strong enough, it becomes easier to combat many infection & illnesses.

Make it a point to get your daily dose of exercise but don’t go overboard – Physical exertion is known to release the stress hormone ‘Cortisol’ in the body, which is known to weaken the immune system. If you workout daily in moderation, it will not only boost your blood circulation and energy levels but also help you shed those extra kilos

Get into the habit of washing your hands frequently – This habit could easily prove to be one of the most effective ways of preventing diseases, especially the ones that are contagious. Always carry & use a hand sanitizer while visiting public places.

Wear warm clothes – 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.

Limit the intake of caffeinated drinks like Tea & Coffee – It is extremely common for people to prefer hot drinks when it’s cold outside. Tea & coffee may successfully give your body the required warmth but these beverages also contain caffeine which has a diuretic effect that draws water out of your body. Keep yourself hydrated at all times

Get plenty of sleep – When you are asleep, the body releases certain chemicals into your system which is known to benefit the immune system. In the absence of adequate sleep, your immune system takes a serious hit, making you more vulnerable to minor ailments like cold & flu.

Take special care of your skin – Harsh winter winds can be devastating for your skin, making it dull, dry & cracked. Always keep your skin moisturized. It is best to avoid bathing with extremely hot water as doing so can take away the natural moisturizers from the skin. A chapstick/lip-balm can keep your lips looking fresh & luscious

Do not ignore the sunscreen – Summer season is not the only time to worry about Ultra-violet rays. You might be surprised to know that skin damage could happen during the winter season too. Slather on some sunscreen before you venture outdoors and yes, do not forget to put on your sunglasses