The 6 chilling ways the cold is harming your health and how to fight back

The days of lounging in the sun are long gone. In order to protect ourselves from the freezing temperatures that will shortly worsen, we are currently spending as much time indoors as possible.

Additionally, you’re not imagining it if you’re feeling increased aches, pains, itching, and wheezing. According to Dr. Nisa Aslam, there are numerous ways that the cold weather might impact our health.

Every winter, as a general practitioner, I witness a rise in a variety of medical ailments, such as skin disorders, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular disorders.

“I also observe a noticeable increase in mental health issues.

Some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a depression linked to the gloomy weather and gloomy evenings, while many of us experience the winter blues to some extent.

You can treat the cold more effectively if you are aware of how it can be impacting your health. Here are some possible explanations for your symptoms.

Poor Circulation

Poor circulation can cause limb tingling, numbness, pain, or throbbing.

According to general practitioner Dr. Gill Jenkins, being cold causes blood vessels to constrict. In addition to making your blood thicker and stickier, cold weather can raise your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes, especially if you’re not drinking enough water.

According to a study of 159 research, the risk of cardiovascular death increases by 1.6% for every 1% drop in temperature.

According to Dr. Jenkins, the elderly and those with a family history of heart disease are the most at risk.

THE FIX: Add cayenne pepper to your food. Research published in the Journal Of Nutrition And Metabolism showed that cayenne pepper can improve circulation and strengthen blood vessels, and may reduce plaque build-up in the arteries.

It’s also critical to maintain an active lifestyle, even if it means taking a quick stroll or rotating your feet and arms while watching TV.

Frequent exercise lowers blood pressure and enhances circulation.

Aching Joints

Do you have arthritis? Around this time of year, you might be expecting a flare-up. Cold weather causes muscles and tendons to tighten and this can make arthritic joint pain and stiffness worse, says consultant physiotherapist Sammy Margo.

Particularly problematic are windy, damp days, which raise the risk of pain by about 20%.

This can worsen further if you reduce physical activity, and this can all affect circulation, tissues and joints, leading to greater discomfort and pain, Sammy says, with your mental health taking a hit, too. It also makes you more aware of your discomfort if you’re feeling down.

THE FIX:Clothing made from natural fibres, such as cashmere and wool, or fleecy fibres, are best to wear at this time of year for maintaining natural body heat.

To ease the pain of arthritis, try Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-On, 5.25. Clinical-strength curcumin the active ingredient in turmeric has also been shown in clinical trials to reduce inflammation and alleviate joint pain.***

Taking a supplement regularly, such as Bioglan Active Curcumin, 28.50 for 30 tablets, could make a difference.

Teeth Trouble

A cold gust of wind can be agony for those with teeth sensitivity, but could it mean something more serious? I always see a 20- 25% increase in dental emergencies as the weather gets colder, says Dr Sameer Patel, co-founder of E11even Dental.

If you ve got any underlying dental issues, such as receding gums, exposed roots or cavities, the cold weather can bring these issues to the fore.

“Seasonal infections, such as colds and flu, can also create congestion in your sinuses, which puts pressure on your teeth, causing pain. Many people also clench and grind their teeth more when it s cold.

THE FIX:Make sure you re having regular dental check-ups, at least once a year. That way, your dentist can pick up and deal with any issues before they become an even bigger problem, says Dr Patel.

Around 70% of dental infections are silent and only show up on an X-ray.

“So don t wait until cold weather triggers pain.

Plus, you can help keep seasonal bugs at bay by taking immunity supplements, such as The Naked Pharmacy Immune Hero, 25 for 60 capsules.

Difficulty breathing

In a recent survey by Asthma + Lung UK, seven out of 10 people with asthma reported that winter air worsened their symptoms.

Cold air can be dangerous for people with asthma, as it can cause your airways to narrow, which can increasethe amount of mucus you produce and make it harder for you to breathe, potentially prompting a life-threatening asthma attack, says Mike McKevitt, director of services at thecharity.

Cold, dry air can also irritate your airways and worsen symptoms like wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. It can also weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off respiratory infections, such as colds and flu.

THE FIX:Asthma + Lung UK recommends loosely wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth when outside.

It helps to wear a hat and gloves, and always keep your reliever inhaler with you, too.

Mould in the home is also an issue for those with asthma, so it s very important that you deal with it as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, try Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray, 19.90, which can eliminate bacteria, viruses and mould in the air.

Skin irritation

Dry skin is another problem as the frosty weather bites. When it s cold, the air is dry and there is lower humidity, so skin produces less naturally oily sebum, which can leave it very dry, flaky and irritated, explains Professor Anthony Bewley, consultant dermatologist at Barts Health NHS Trust,London.

This can also exacerbate eczema, where skin becomes incredibly itchy, dry, cracked and sore.

Some people are even allergic to the cold and come up in hives, a condition called cold urticaria.

THE FIX:Moisturise your skin regularly, and use emollient creams to manage eczema symptoms.

Try Oilatum Eczema Dry Skin Emollient Cream, 12.60. For intense itching, Eurax Cream, 4.49, should help soothe inflamed skin.

Pale extremities

Pale fingers are characteristic of Raynaud s disease, a common condition affecting around 10 million people in the UK, according to the NHS.

If you suffer from Raynaud s disease, you have an exaggerated skin reaction to the cold, says Professor Bewley.

The small blood vessels in your extremities constrict and this makes hands and feet turn white or blue.

“There may also be pain and numbness. As extremities warm up again, they go red and there may also be pain and a burning sensation.

The circulatory condition can run in families and most often appears from a young age.

If you suddenly develop the condition in later life, see your GP, as Raynaud s can sometimes be associated with lupus or systemic sclerosis, says Professor Bewley.

THE FIX:Keep your core temperature warm by wrapping up well. Creams that contain capsaicin, which comes from the capsicum plant, and ginger, can help to stimulate circulation.

Try Napiers Capsicum & Ginger Warming Cream, 20.99.

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