It’s December already and most of us have gotten used to our winter maladies: stuffy noses, tickly throats and dry skin are a daily business now. The weather can be unstable with sunny days and cold nights – this can confuse our body’s immune responses.
In short, winter does weaken your immunity much more than the rest of the year.
You can easily stay aware of your body’s reactions to harsh weather and take precautions. Not only do you invest in a long-lasting immune system, you also get to stay healthy all-year round! Here are 5 winter illnesses and tips to fight it:
1. Sinus Blocks and Headaches
Sinus infections symptoms can get worse in winter – doesn’t matter if it’s too dry or too damp, sinusitis can cause a lot of pain. This is simply an inflammation of the sinuses, which traps mucus and constricts airflow.
Sinus infections are associated with headaches, facial pain, sinus pain, stuffy nose, sore throat and a lot of fatigue from the symptoms. It can be extremely frustrating, which makes it all the more important to avoid triggers that can kickstart a sinus infection.
Tips to Fight it:
- Use an air humidifier indoors if you have dry and cold weather. Keep it on during sleep or simply when you are indoors. It can keep your nasal cavity moist and less prone to drying and congestion.
- Inhaling steam can open your nasal cavity, so use a steamer often and take hot showers which also produces a lot of steam for you to inhale.
- Avoid a flu attack to the maximum. It aggravates pre-existing sinus issues, so it’s necessary to eat lots of healthy food and keep your hands and surroundings clean to avoid a flu.
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2. Joint Pains
Arthritis pain is extra strong during winter because of colder temperatures and increased air pressure. Regular people also experience stiffness in joints, due to reduced movement or simply because of a cold sleeping environment.
Pain is mostly experience in knees, hips and ankles. Sometimes exercising during cold weather increases the pain. So what do you do?
Tips to Fight it:
- Walking/running: We know it’s easy to stay indoors when the weather is harsh. But exercising regularly actually builds your immunity and keeps you strong. Exercise in normal temperatures because going out in the cold can cause more pain after exercise.
- Do your stretches! Touching your toes and stretching regularly is the easiest way to keep joints in good condition. It also keeps the blood flow to your muscles regular.
- Drink lots of water. Healthy joints are a result of proper hydration.
3. Allergic Reactions
Fog and damp weather can be a trigger for people with hay fever and winter is the time these conditions attack. For people with seasonal allergies, it’s very important to keep mould from growing indoors. Wooden furniture, insides of shoes and wet clothes should be protected from mildew. This is often seen as a thin white coating on the surface of organic materials.
You may get itchy eyes, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing.
Constant allergic reactions are also the sign of a weak immune system, which means you need to start boosting it with a balanced diet and possibly, a supplement.
–> SEE ALSO: 10 Ways to Boost Your Immunity: Winter is Coming
Tips to Fight it:
- Do not wear clothes that have not been properly dried out in the sun.
- Wash your blankets and bedsheets regularly so that allergens don’t accumulate for too long.
- Keep shoes out during the occasional sunny days and line the insides with newspaper balls to absorb humidity.
4. Breathing Issues
Winter is particularly difficult for people with asthma and lung problems.
Our mucus lining in the lung airways can sometimes thicken during winter which makes breathing difficult. This may cause irritation, wheezing, chest pain which may lead to other infections if your immune system is weak.
Tips to Fight it:
- Stay warm as much as you can. Never forget to dress in warm layers of clothing when going out such that the chest and throat is not exposed to the cold.
- Use mufflers, socks and gloves if the it’s very cold. The neck, feet and palms are sensitive areas that need protection.
- Do not breathe through the mouth when breathing gets difficult. This lets dust and cold, dry air enter the lungs easily, which is bad.
5. Dry Eyes
If you live in a dry environment, winter can also bring about a whole range of eye issues like itching, irritation, dryness and redness.
If you use an air heater at home, this can also aggravate your condition, making it more difficult for your eyes to produce moisture.
Tips to Fight it:
- Use eye drops to keep the moisture in your eyes intact.
- Consult a doctor who can prescribe medication if your symptoms are too strong.
- It’s necessary to eat fruits like orange, grapes and even green leafy vegetables to supply vitamins and minerals.
6. Dry Skin
Winter is here and all of a sudden you can feel your skin stretch and get flaky. Dry, lifeless skin is not only bad visually, it can lead to itchiness which cause injuries. If you have a habit of scratching, this can end in a lot of wounds and pain.
It’s difficult to keep the moisture in our skin intact when it’s cold and dry. Ruptured skin can also be a risk factor to other infections and an easy entry for disease causing bacteria and virus. So, it’s important to avoid this.
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Tips to Fight it:
- Use mild soaps and bathing liquids. Hard cleansers rip the moisture out of your skin easily, making it extra dry and hard.
- Invest in moisturisers or lotions. Nothing protects the skin better than moisturizing it daily. Alternatively, you can also use body butter. Body yogurt is another option that hydrates the skin faster than other options.
- Did you know longer showers don’t help keep the moisture intact? Taking a warm and short shower, followed by moisturizing soon is always the best way to go.
7. Migraines and Winter Headaches
There is something about increased frequency of migraines during winters. You’re not imagining it!
Our internal pressure is easily affected by changes in pressure and temperature outside. Chilly temperature also constricts blood vessels and nerves, which is why you’re more prone to headaches in winter.
Our sleep cycles also tend to change during winter – we do sleep a lot more, and not taking this adequate rest can also trigger headaches.
–> SEE ALSO: 6 Reasons You’re Not Sleeping Well And What To Do About It
Tips to Fight it:
- Cover your head and neck properly with warm clothing when going out.
- A combination of indoor heater and room humidifier can help you combat dry and cold conditions, which can cause migraines.
- Don’t forget to drink water and eat all 3 meals! Fluid balance is extremely important while skipping meals can cause pain.
How to Build Immunity in Winter
The solution to most winter illnesses is to equip your immune system better. Our natural immunity goes a long way, but eating a balanced meal and drinking water itself is a great way to keep it strong.
Winter seasonal fruits like Cherimoya (Seetaphal), Indian origin Apples, strawberries and cranberries are rich in antioxidants, potassium, Vitamin C and fiber.
Investing in a herbal supplement to boost your immune system can also benefit you. It is an easy and safe way to make sure you get all the immunity nutrients in the right quantity. Always consult a doctor before you take supplements.
Actisheeld by Sava Herbals(TM) helps boost your immune system with the goodness of herbal ingredients like Tulsi, Guduchi, Licorice, Ashwagandha, Fenugreek and Kalmegha. You can also get a free, private consultation from certified Ayurvedic doctors on our website.