Saturday, 18 December 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The cold wave-like conditions prevailing in all parts of the state have increased the chances of viral infection and diseases like heart attack and stroke. The doctors suggest that people especially elderly and children should be dissuaded from coming out in the open during early morning and late evenings.
The deputy medical superintendent of the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospital, Dr N S Kharti said that the 10 to 15 percent increase in OPD patients is being observed. Dr Khatri who also is a pediatrician said that parents of children with a history of allergic reactions should be extra careful these days.
He said diseases like the common cold, bronchitis, viral dysentery and pneumonia affect children these days. He informed that since the children are more susceptible to the air borne infections they should be prevented from the exposure to these diseases. The pediatrician advised that the parents should ensure that their children remain indoors during morning and night, take fresh nutritious food and drink warm water. He said that everyone should drink plenty of water these days. The reason for children being susceptible to infections is due to their low immunity arising out of the fact that they have low fat deposition in their body.
The children tend to catch infections in the school; doctors suggest that to prevent cold from spreading the parents should advise their children to wash their hands regularly. Similarly the children should be asked to cover their nose and mouth during sneezing and use of disinfectants should be encouraged.
Like children, the elderly too are exposed to a variety of problems in winters. One of the chief tormentors of senior citizens is Hypothermia. Due to less body fat the elderly fall prey to hypothermia when they are exposed to cold weather. Doctors suggest that the senior citizens should keep them hydrated and should wear warm clothes which cover their body properly. The food having sufficient supply of vitamin D is also recommended to them by the doctors.
Senior cardiologist Dr S K Varun told The Pioneer that the chances of heart attack and stroke increases during winters. He said apart from constriction of blood vessels the viscosity of the blood increases during winters which causes thrombosis (clot formation) in the body. This triggers heart attack or stroke. He said that it is generally seen that the people reduce intake of water and fluid during winter season which is not proper as it increases viscosity of blood.
