Keep the cold at bay

Those with respiratory disorders need to keep an extra vigil in the winter.

The winter this year made news all right. The year began with Congress workers in the capital in a tizzy when their President Sonia Gandhi was rushed to the hospital breathless and with a low-grade fever. The leader was reported to be suffering from pneumonitis (inflammation of the lung tissue), but it was soon hotly denied and downgraded to a "chest infection".

Winter is the season dreaded by a significant majority simply due to a fear of the sniffles. Much effort goes into wrapping oneself in the best of woollens and sipping on piping hot herbal tea to keep the dreaded common cold at bay. But it is a season that people suffering from respiratory disorders need to watch out for.

According to Dr Nevin Kishore, senior consultant pulmonologist, Max Hospitals, there are "quite a few things" that can go wrong. He says asthmatics are the ones that need to be the most careful as the cold can trigger and exaggerate their condition.

The elderly are the next on the list, with those over 70 especially at risk. Dr Kishore says if they fall sick you need to watch out for symptoms of pneumonia, which are "" cough, high fever, greenish or yellowish phlegm and chest pain. In that age group, he says, the condition can be fatal in upto 20 per cent of cases, unless it is attended to immediately.

The viruses will, of course, do their rounds triggering the flu, bronchitis or cough. For children below five years and adults over 65, health experts do recommend a flu vaccine. Diabetics and pregnant women are especially at risk of catching the flu.

The dust and smoke due to increased vehicular movement in cities is a perennial issue which can form quite a combination with fog and form smog. Dr Kishore says that since the shift to CNG vehicles, respiratory complaints due to smog in New Delhi have reduced but the number always peaks in winter.

The fluctuation between the minimum and maximum temperature in a day does tax the body as it cannot adapt quickly enough to the changes. It is said to be best to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Dr Kishore, though, advises against using humidifiers in your room coupled with heaters as they can aggravate the condition in some asthmatics.