General Chat

Low temperatures bring an increased risk of health problems, from chest infections to heart attacks and hypothermia. Those with high blood pressure are more at risk of heart attacks and strokes.

One of your body’s ways of conserving heat is to narrow small blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin’s surface, but this means your heart has to work harder to pump blood and oxygen round your body, raising blood pressure. Blood also gets thicker in cold weather, making it more likely to clot. Both these factors increase risk of a heart attack or stroke in anyone susceptible. Also, being cold for too long will render you more susceptible to viruses such as colds or flu.

The cold affects the way the respiratory system works, making it harder to clear out bugs. In vulnerable people, cold weather can increase the risk of infections turning into pneumonia. There are however steps you can take to keep the health hazards at bay:

Tip 1 Wash your hands often, especially after you’ve been out shopping. The most common way of catching colds is by touching surfaces used by others, such as door handles.

Tip 2 Don’t gargle as it can spread infection.

Tip 3 Always wear a hat when you go out.

Tip 4 Wear two or three layers, rather than one thick jumper. Ladies - wear thick tights under trousers (nothing stopping you men either!).

Tip 5 Stop smoking - the chemicals in tobacco narrow blood vessels, making circulation worse.

Tip 6 Ask your pharmacist about portable heat packs and battery heated gloves and socks.

Tip 7 Moisturise hands and feet regularly - poor circulation and chapped skin can leave you more prone to skin infections.

Tip 8 Stay off the whisky! It’s a myth that alcohol keeps you warm. It doesn’t, as it lowers the body temperature.

Tip 9 Try and walk around every hour or so, as inactivity means muscles won’t generate heat.

Tip 10 Make up a flask of tea and keep it by your bedside in case you feel very cold during the night.

Tip 11 Have regular hot meals that contain carbohydrates like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta.

Tip 12 Have lots of hot drinks, but avoid drinking too much coffee as it increases blood flow to your skin, making you lose heat from the rest of your body. Last but not least -

Tip 13 Unless it is absolutely necessary, in icy weather do NOT go out!

Good advice Ann.

I will keep an eye out for this thread and give it a gentle nudge if the weather forcast is anything to go by.

Teresa

Very good, Ann, except,that is, No 8.....I mean everyone knows alcohol keeps you warm! Well it gives me a glow,anyway:-)) lol BC XX

Re Gargling,If you do it with Alcohol,i/e Malt whisky,it give the germs a very pleasent way to die. :o)>.**M**.

Hi Ann, a very good thread. I didn't realise that whiskey lowered the body temperature---all those years where we thought that a hot toddy was good to warm us up.

Love, Sallie.xx

I shall ignore number 8, this is from my sisters newsletter for her pain management group and she is teetotal.