How to Manage Chronic Diseases During Winter More Effectively

If you are a generally healthy individual and you fully cover your airways and skin, you can enjoy the cold weather outside even in sub-freezing conditions. On the other hand, if you are dealing with a chronic disease, you should take extra precautions during the winter season.

Sometimes, adding an extra layer of clothing — even that trusted Descente ski jacket you got on sale — won’t suffice. Here’s how you can amp up your chronic disease management plan this winter season.

Asthma

Asthmatics have an increased risk of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath when exposed extremely cold temperatures, and asthma attack could happen with 15–30 minutes of being exposed to extreme cold. If your inhaler just won’t cut it, head to the hospital immediately.

Arthritis

An arthritis flare usually occurs during the cold season, so if you must do any physical activity such as shoveling snow or running, you can take anti-inflammatory medicine before heading out and take breaks every 10 minutes.

Diabetes

Since cold weather can affect blood circulation, if you have diabetes, you might notice your blood sugar levels becoming erratic. In the event that you feel weak or dizzy, check your blood sugar immediately.

Likewise, if you have nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy, take note that you have an increased risk of getting frostbite since you might not be able to accurately feel when the weather is too cold for you.

Heart Issues

The cold weather could place extra stress on your cardiovascular system, which in turn makes your heart work harder than it has to. This also increases your risk of developing heart issues, such as irregular heartbeat and experiencing a heart attack. If you have already been diagnosed with a heart condition or have had a heart attack, just think twice before you perform strenuous physical activities.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Because no COPD case is the same, it is extremely crucial to keep a close eye on what your body is trying to tell you. For example, some individuals have found that covering their nose and mouth with a scarf to breathe in warm air can help when they’re outside, but this might not work for everybody. In addition, if you don’t have your COPD under control, it’s best to just stay inside and plan ahead if you need to go out and work.

Certain Skin Conditions

Reduced blood circulation and dry air could cause a flare up of skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. To prevent this, make sure that your skin is always hydrated, follow your treatment plan, and cover up when going outside.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Cold weather could aggravate any weakness or pain you might feel if you have multiple sclerosis. However, the biggest health hazard is moving around safely in the snow and ice or else risk losing your balance, which in turn could lead to a slip and fall if you’re not careful.

While your body is incredibly resilient, the suggestions above would help you avoid aggravating your symptoms and dealing with potential complications later on.