Delhi NCR rain-cold impact on Health: There has been a sudden change in the weather on the day of Vasant Panchami. The bone-chilling cold has increased due to snowfall in the mountains. Whereas in Delhi-UP, people are shivering due to heavy rains and strong winds. Due to drop in temperature, there is a possibility of cold wave and bitter cold once again. In such a situation, before enjoying the cold winds, snowfall and cool weather, it is very important to know how much bad effect will this sudden return of cold have on health? About this in Delhi Dr. Pulin Kumar Gupta, Professor in the Department of Medicine at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. has not only alerted people about this returning cold, but has also suggested measures to avoid it. Let us know..
Dr. Pulin Kumar Gupta says, ‘The effects of cold and snowfall are different. When it is very cold, the mechanism of the body works to conserve the heat inside the body and ensures that the blood supply reaches all the parts of the body. To prevent body heat from escaping, the peripheral arteries of the hands and feet shrink, this is called constriction. Due to this, the heat loss of the body reduces but the fingers and toes turn blue and their blood flow reduces. If this exposure continues for a long time, it can also cause gangrene.
Dr. Pulin Kumar Gupta, Professor of Medicine at RML Hospital.
Many times it gets so cold that the water in the body cells of our fingers also freezes, or the water in between their cells shrinks, this is called frost bite, due to which it causes permanent damage i.e. fingers get melted and may even lead to cutting. Many times there is a problem of falls in snowfall areas. Slipping on smooth ice can cause fractures and physical injuries.
If there is no extreme cold like in the mountains and it is only as cold as it is in Delhi-NCR, then peripheral vessel constriction will occur and the body will increase its cardiac rate to maintain that blood flow. During this period, there is every possibility of blood pressure increasing.
Dr. Gupta further explains that in those who are heart patients, it has been observed that blood pressure and pressure on the heart increases in cold and due to this the risk of heart attack also increases. Apart from this, due to cold, people also drink less water, whereas they sweat the same amount which is not visible. When people drink less water, the blood becomes thick and this increases the risk of brain stroke and heart attack.
When cold increases, it becomes dry and this increases the chances of having an asthma attack. Some people call it cold asthma but there is no humidification. Due to cold our receptors get activated and immunity also reduces.
One more thing that has been observed is that if there is cold or cloudy weather for a long time then some mental effects are also seen in people. If there is no sunlight then anxiety and stress increases in people. Many times people light heaters and fireplaces in their rooms to escape the cold, but due to increase in carbon monoxide in the room, people even die. If the air is hot and dry then our nasals and bronchials also become dry. This increases the problem of breathing and cough. To avoid this, if it is cold then people try to avoid it.
How to protect?
Dr. Gupta explains that the best solution is to keep yourself warm during this winter season and avoid direct exposure to cold. For this, do not wear just one sweater, but wear several light clothes, so that air does not pass through, and also do not remain wet from anywhere. If socks or clothes get wet, change them immediately, dry your hands and feet. Elderly people, small children, heart patients especially avoid extreme cold. Cover your ears and head, and wear gloves and shoes.
