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Coping with the ailments that the cold weather brings along winter has its myriad charms and is often the season we most look forward to. However, cold weather does bring its fair share of ailments as well, some stubborn, like the common cold or flu, while others more critical, at times life-threatening even.

So, what are the winter ailments we should be aware of?

Common Cold

This is the most prevalent winter health issue, characterized by nose and throat infection, with sometimes the ears involved as well. You can catch it by someone coughing or sneezing around you or by touching a contaminated surface, like a doorknob. There are over 200 viruses that can cause colds, of which the most common is the rhinovirus. The symptoms include a runny nose, itchy throat, low-grade fever, tiredness, body aches, sneezing bouts and cough. While there’s no cure for common cold, anti-allergic medication, cough syrups and nasal decongestant drops help alleviate symptoms. Common cold is said to be responsible for the maximum work and study time lost. You should see a doctor if the symptoms linger beyond a few days or get worse.

Flu

Flu is another seasonal viral infection of the respiratory tract, involving the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. Like common cold, you can catch it from airborne droplets if someone coughs or sneezes near you or if you touch contaminated surfaces. It can be quite debilitating with fatigue, fever, body aches, sore throat, sneezing and coughing, and sometimes even diarrhoea. An annual flu shot can help, while treatment could involve anti-viral medications. The doctor will likely advise you rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Even after the symptoms disappear, you might feel quite weak and lethargic for a week or two.

Acute Bronchitis

A cold or flu can sometimes lead to acute bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs (bronchi), causing a buildup of excessive mucus. Smokers or those susceptible to allergies, sinusitis or tonsillitis can be a high-risk group, while sometimes you can catch it by inhaling bacteria. The usual symptoms are dry cough which later becomes mucus-productive cough, body aches and headaches, chills, sore throat, feeling breathless and wheezing. It normally tapers off on its own, but if it progresses to pneumonia, you will need antibiotics. In case your bronchitis comes back for two consecutive years and bothers you for 2-3 months, doctors consider the condition chronic.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia, which can be brought on by viruses, bacteria or fungi, infects the lungs, filling up the air sacs with pus and other fluids. Symptoms could be mild or serious, including fever, cough with mucus, breathing distress, chest pain, chills, loss of appetite, and even confusion. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are prescribed. For the viral variety, the protocol is just rest, drinking plenty of fluids and a nutritious diet. You should see a doctor if you are coughing up pus, have high fever, shaking chills or difficulty breathing and also if you have other health conditions of the lungs or heart.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough mainly affects infants and young children. It is a severe and contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, and is spread through coughs and sneezes, sometimes even through breathing. It usually begins as a common cold and becomes worse, with painful coughing bouts accompanied by a whooping sound with respiratory distress. Your child may also have fever, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.

Prompt treatment with antibiotics can provide early relief and reduce chances of contagion. The doctor would advise drinking plenty of fluids and staying away from irritants like smoke or dust. Whooping cough can sometimes linger for over two months and even lead to pneumonia or other complications.

Other respiratory ailments

The cold, dry air in winter leads to tightening of the airways, making breathing labored. This is often made worse for those already suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, particularly by inhalation of droplets exhaled by infected individuals. It is advisable to keep an inhaler handy and see a doctor if the symptoms get worse in the cold conditions.

Joint pain

Those suffering from chronic joint pains often complain of their symptoms getting worse over the winter months. One expert school of thought ascribes this to the pain receptors in the body becoming more sensitive as atmospheric pressure drops during the cold season. This could lead to tissue swelling and the resulting tension between the joints causes pain. Exercising to reduce joint and muscle stiffness can be very helpful.

Heart attack & stroke

Not just respiratory conditions. Winter is also a prime season for heart attacks and strokes. With the drop in temperature, the blood vessels tend to shrink, forcing the heart to work overtime to pump blood. This often results in a spike in blood pressure or clotting of platelets, which in turn could lead to heart attacks and strokes.

For a heart attack, the most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort while the stroke signs to watch out for include numbness of the face or limbs on one side of the body, difficulties with speech, vision and balance. These are both critical medical emergencies and must be treated as such.

At Medica, our expert team of Internal Medicine experts are experienced in treating all common ailments and infectious diseases with 24×7 support from our state-of-the-art critical care unit and emergency department.