When the Wind Blows

 

 

When we think of how the weather can adversely affect our health, we usually think of the damage caused by the sun. But when the weather turns cold and blustery, bitter winds can also have a negative effect – causing everything from earache to chapped lips.

Of course, windy weather is no reason to avoid going outdoors. In fact getting out and about on a blustery day can be invigorating and energising. So here are some tips to keep you comfortable in windy weather:

 

Earache
Some people find that windy conditions can cause earaches. Even on a warm day, if you are moving quickly, such as when jogging or cycling, you may find that the breeze created can lead to ear pain. If wind affects you in this way, make sure you always have a hat with you – a woolly one for winter and a lightweight version for warmer weather.

 

Chapped Lips
When you are out and about in strong winds, the delicate skin on your lips can quickly become chapped. You can treat chapped lips with stick treatments or ointments from the chemist. However the best way to avoid chapped lips is to use a protective lip balm containing petroleum or beeswax – this will create a barrier to protect lips from the wind whilst sealing in moisture.

 

Dry Skin
Cold, dry, windy conditions can lead to windburn – an irritation of the skin which is usually red and sore. It’s quite common for people who participate in winter sports such as skiing to develop windburn. You can treat the symptoms by regularly applying a moisturiser – choose an unscented version to avoid further irritation.

 

For more information about looking after your skin in different conditions, visit: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Skinhome.aspx

 

Categories: chapped, chapped lips, lips, nbsp, skin, weather, weather nbsp, windy conditions, windy weather

Facts You Need To Know About The Common Cold

As the colder months approach, so do the colds and flu viruses which render us bed-ridden for days. There are a number of factors which increase our risk of catching colds and viruses, such as cold weather, changes in immunity and our eating habits, and poor hygiene habits make us more susceptible to infections. It’s common knowledge that in order to fend off infections, we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle of plenty of exercise, drinking enough water each day, and getting the right balance of nutrients from a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables. But there are other things to consider. Here are the main factors you need to be aware of in order to stay healthy during cold and flu season.

Vitamin D deficiency

As the days become shorter, our exposure to direct sunlight also decreases. This lack of exposure to the sun can lead to a vitamin D deficiency which can weaken our immune system, leading us to become more susceptible to infections. Some food products are now fortified with this vital nutrient but there are also supplements available to help ensure you get your daily dose.

Cold air

The dry and cold air can dry out your nasal passages which can irritate the throat and lungs, leading to coughs and colds. You may even find that your struggle with your breathing during this season, as your nasal passages are often blocked. This is known as cold-induced asthma which can irritate the linings of your nose and throat which are there to protect the respiratory passages, which can trigger a cough.

Humid weather

In the summer, the hot weather leads to you sweating a lot more – this increases the chance of respiratory infections developing due to dust particles and sweat triggering a sore throat and a dry cough. Breathing is naturally affected because of congestion, particularly in crowded places.

Smog

Allergies due to breathing in smoggy air are common in the summer months, because smog contains a pollutant known as ozone which directly attacks your lung function. This causes inflammation of the protective lining of the lungs and can trigger asthma.  Coughing due to smog is often very painful as it causes uneasiness of the chest and throat.

Weather changes

Because of the way we naturally react to  weather changes, coughs triggered  during the summer months don’t go away easily. For example, during the winter we tend to keep warm, rest a lot and drink hot fluids to help encourage recovery. But in summer, we drink cold drinks and these increase the chance of a cold infection. It may even worsen your gastroesophageal reflux disease causing a cough.

Rainy season

It’s more common to catch a cold  during a rainy season, as the common cold during this season comes accompanied by headaches and sore throats which are due to damp weather. It’s during rainier months that we need to be more on our guard in terms of preventative measures and leading a healthier lifestyle, to try and  fight off any possible infections.

Climate changes

Because of erratic climate changes taking place all the time, people with a healthy immune system also catch respiratory infections. For example, with monsoons after heavy rainfall the weather can sometimes turn very hot. This can lead to a cough or cold due to infections, allergies and breathing problems, all made worse by the weather. changing so drastically.

Categories: allergies, colds, common, Infections, nasal passages, rainy season, respiratory infections, season, summer months, Throat, weather

A Winter’s Trail: Why You Should Start Exercising Outside

Winter weather is hardly an incentive to get you working on your fitness levels, but wellness experts assert that getting out and active in the cold can work wonders for your wellbeing. Much in the same way that a dose of fresh air helps to clear out the cobwebs when you’ve got a headache or you’re feeling a bit groggy; exercising in the cold is a boon to your body. According to recent research published in Environmental Science & Technology, exercising outside cranks up your energy levels while decreasing your tension, frustration, and depression, and adventure-fitness consultant Sean Burch, who set a world record running a marathon at the North Pole, argues that the winter weather can intensify these effects.

 

Burch asserts, ‘The heat and humidity in the summer can drag you down and tire you faster, but cold weather is invigorating. It stimulates your senses, tunes you in to your surroundings—it makes you feel alive.’ The reason for this is biological, says Kevin Plancher, MD, head of Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in New York City. ‘All exercise can increase your levels of those feel-good hormones, endorphins,’ Plancher explains. ‘But because your body has to work harder in the cold, your endorphin production is boosted even more, leading to a happier state of mind.’ Moreover, it’s a good idea to exposure your body to natural light, as this helps to stave off depression, which is especially prominent during the shorter, darker days. So how do you get out in the cold safely and effectively?

 

1. Map Your Route: Andrew Kastor, a running coach in Mammoth Lakes, California, notes that your first priority when planning a winter route should be making sure you’ll have a stable, safe footing. Make sure roads you run down are well-lit, so that you can spot for black ice. Tracey Martinson of Running Club North recommends choosing a loop in your area that you can repeat as many times as you want, so you’ll be close to home in case you get tired, wet or slip on the ice.

 

2. Warm Up Wisely: Olympian Jeff Galloway, co-author of A Woman’s Guide to Running, advises that you walk around or jog in place indoors for five minutes before any workout. Health and wellness writer Corinne Garcia adds, ‘When you head out, give your body time to adjust to the conditions by taking 30-second breaks every few minutes for the first 10 minutes.’

 

3. Take Cover: Garcia warns, ‘Try to avoid open roads and paths near water.’ Olympian Lindsey Anderson, assistant track and cross-country coach at Weber State University, points out, ‘Tree-lined trails and city blocks with tall buildings can help protect you from biting winds and snow flurries.’

 

4. Don’t Cool Down Too Much: ‘To avoid getting too chilled during your cool down, keep it brief,’ says Garcia. ‘Slow your pace for three to four minutes, then go inside to stretch. Take off extra layers and keep moving for another five to 10 minutes before showering.’

 

5. Start Small: Martinson asserts, ‘It’s better to underestimate your ability in the cold,’ and Burch comments that easing into cold-weather exercise can also help your airways acclimate. If you normally do four miles in the summer, start with two, and try wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth to warm the air before you breathe it in.

 

6. Drink Plenty: Burch warns that a lot of people give little thought to staying hydrated during winter weather, as you don’t see your sweat losses as clearly as you would in the summer. However, you can still sweat just as much, if not more, as you would in hot weather, so remember to hydrate and put your bottle under your layers to help keep it from freezing.

Categories: body, exercising outside, hydration, minutes, nbsp, Warm-Up, weather, winter, Winter Weather

How to Keep Fit Even in the Depths of Winter

Being, as we are, in mid winter, it is very easy to let your fitness and weight loss regime fall by the wayside. It’s so cold, that any sport that involves being outdoors (such as running or cycling) can be very difficult, if not impossible, and in some countries it can even be dangerous to try to follow these types of pursuits at this time of year.

 

It is important, however, that you keep working out, in order to safeguard your wellness and wellbeing during the winter months, and there are various ways that you can do this.

 

First of all, you can – of course – hit the gym. A gym membership during the winter months is a great idea, allowing you to work out in a warm and dry environment while it’s too cold to work out outside. You can do the activities that you usually enjoy outside too, just in a more stationary environment. You can run on a treadmill or jump on an exercise bike and work up a good sweat whilst not getting soaked to the skin or frozen to the bone.

 

Dancing is also a great winter sport, as it burns loads of calories whilst also toning up your whole body. Pole dancing is a recent craze, and has become hugely popular (with those who practise it and those who enjoy their skills too one imagines!) You can sign up for various dance classes – hip hop, ballroom, break dancing or even ballet (which is great for your legs).

 

Yoga and Pilates are also a great way to pass the winter months.  You don’t have to do traditional ‘slow’ yoga – you can do Bikram Yoga or Power Yoga, both of which are a bit more fast paced and use muscles that you didn’t even know you possessed. By the end of winter, you’ll be fitter and more supple than you ever thought.

Categories: fitness, months, nbsp, weather, winter, winter months, work, yoga

Asthma: Why Dust In The Air Can Trigger Attacks

In Dubai, weather warnings have been released stating that high winds will wreak havoc on cities and towns. These winds will pick up dust, creating dust storms and rain. The high speeds of the winds and sands will decrease visibility, too. The most important factor of this weather though is the effect it will have on people with respiratory issues. Those stating the report have explained that anyone with asthma should either wear a mask or avoid heading out into the weather if at all possible. Doctors in Dubai have noted that there has been a 20 percent increase in patients with upper respiratory complications since the arrival of such extreme weather.

Such sandstorms contain two types of particles, one of which is coarse and one which is fine. Generally, the fine particles cause more damage to people with asthma. GPs have advised that anyone who suffers from asthma should continue to take medication during this weather, even if staying indoors. They suggested that if patients are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath and severe cough, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible in case of an attack.

Asthma is a respiratory condition which affects one’s ability to breathe easily – irritants and particles cause the airways to create an anti-inflammatory attack on the body, which causes the airways to swell and constrict. People suffering from asthma can help to reduce the risk of an attack through limiting their exposure to excess dust and mould spores, chemicals in the air such as air fresheners, and perfumes. Exercising helps to open up the lungs, so light physical activity once or twice a week can help. It’s important to take it easy with exercise though, as it can have an adverse effect – speak to your GP if you’re unsure which forms of exercise are best for the severity of your condition.

Asthma: Why Dust In The Air Can Trigger Attacks

Categories: Asthma, Attack, dust, Stormy Weather, weather, Winds

Does the Weather Impact Your Opinion on Global Warming?

Summer has come pretty late this year, but people in the US are seeing the bright side; obviously, this means that the planet isn’t heating up. This is according to the latest poll from the National Surveys on Energy and Environment (NSEE), which found that, after an especially cold winter across much of the United States, the American public is slightly less convinced that environmental wellness is at risk to global warming.

 

In the autumn, 67% of Americans reported that they believe there is solid evidence that global warming is real. However, this number has now dropped to 63%. According to Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg Institute, which conducts the NSEE in partnership with the University of Michigan, ‘The fairly cold winter and slow-arriving spring weather this year appears to have contributed to a slight decline in the number of Americans that think global warming is happening.’ This is not the first study to show that your opinion on climate change shifts in response to weather events.

 

In Autumn 2012, Americans’ belief in global warming was at its highest since 2008 as this period followed a summer of record heat and the historically damaging Hurricane Sandy. The survey respondents even admitted that weather events were the primary reason behind their acceptance of the reality of climate change. However, now the US has seen a pretty chilly winter, the study participants were less likely to cite weather as an influence in their opinion.

 

On the other end of the scale, just over a fifth of Americans (22%) didn’t believe there was solid evidence for climate change in 2012, and, of these respondents, only 18% cited weather-related factors in their scepticism. However, in 2013, 31% of those doubters held up weather events as proof the planet isn’t warming. It seems as though neither the doubters nor the environmentalists can resist the temptation of a good “I told you so.” The researchers surmised that religion may also be increasing doubt in global warming, as 16% of sceptics cited religious reasons for their disbelief in climate change in the recent survey, compared to just 1% in autumn 2008.

Categories: Global Warming, Research, weather

Could A Change in Weather Affect Young Asthmatics?

In the grim swatch of winter greys, it is a genuine relief when the sun is finally out and the vivid blossom of flowers and birdsong joins it.

Those of you that suffer from asthma may feel that the alternating atmosphere of dry cold and pollen-filled spring is perhaps a little much. Everything seems to be working against you – the dry crispness of winter invites coughing fits, the windy springtime billows about pollen and the humid, wetness of autumn growing out mould spores. It may feel as if nature is working against you. It goes without saying that air pollution affects those that are lung-sensitive.

Children go through these motions perhaps a little more sensitively than adults. If they are more sensitive to the weather, what can a concerned parent do for their child?

If you are noticing certain patterns with your child’s health, then keep a diary of it – note down any effects, changes and any possible triggers. Anything you can do will be vital when discussing it with your child’s doctor. Also, make a note of what to do whenever your child suffers from an asthma attack.

Keep an eye on pollen and mould counts, as well as the extremity of the weather. If it feels like too much, limit the amount of time that your child spends outdoors.

During good weather, it’s very tempting to open your house up to soak in a little springtime atmosphere – but remember to close up your house at night so that your child isn’t exposed to nightly pollen and mould. Running the air conditioning will also help with this.

Pollen levels are highest at 10am. If you can, keep your child indoors at this time.

Although definitely not a “get-out-of-chores” card, children with asthma shouldn’t mow the lawn or rake leaves. Furthermore, they shouldn’t go near leaf-piles and freshly cut grass.

Rescue medication at all times – don’t leave home without it.

Asthma doesn’t have to be the bane of your child’s fun. With some care and consideration, asthma can be dealt with day-to-day without it taking away the pleasures of growing up.

Could A Change in Weather Affect Young Asthmatics?

Categories: Child asthma, environment, Environmental, weather