Winter and Your Health

Now that we're in the thick of winter with spring still a long way off, here's some info to help protect your health during the cold months ahead. 

Resource Roundup

Heart Health: Winter can be hard on the body in surprising ways, particularly when we think about heart health. It's somewhat common knowledge that shoveling snow comes with an elevated risk of heart attack if there are some risk factors present, but many might not know why. 

This article from the NSC goes over the specifics. It boils down to the fact that sudden exertion after long periods of being sedentary can put a lot of strain on the heart. Remember to take it slow shoveling, especially if it's the most you've done for a while!

Immune System: It's not just your imagination; people get more illnesses through the cold winter months. According to this article from Northwestern Medicine, this is due to a variety of factors, such as the body not being as effective at fighting off viruses when cold air enters the respiratory system, and lower indoor humidity levels. Take precautions such as washing your hands often to help prevent the spread of illnesses.

Body Temperature: While we've been enjoying nicer temperatures over the past while, we had a pretty cold snap earlier in January. The risk of hypothermia and frostbite is higher as the temperature drops. From this CDC article, early signs of hypothermia include "shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness." Early signs of frostbite include "a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness."

Respiratory System: Cold weather can also take a toll on your respiratory system if you have a pre-existing respiratory issue, such as asthma or COPD. This article from the Mayo Clinic goes into further detail, but if you do have a lung disease, take care to keep an extra supply of inhaler or other equipment and medication on hand and stay out of the cold as much as possible.

While we're all looking forward to getting out of the gray days of winter, the health risks associated with the cold might not be the first things on our mind. We should keep these issues in mind while we continue to dream of spring.