Your guide to staying sniffle-free this winter

Every year there comes a point when beach wear is traded in for knitwear, and the white wine is swapped for a warming liqueur.

But this year things have been a little different. April was the fourth-hottest on record, and May has been higher than average. As is life, all good things must come to an end, and climatologists are predicting a drop of several degrees over the coming weeks as we head into winter.

While the cold of winter approaching, our attitude towards strangers also gets a little chilly. We avoid handshakes with ‘the sneezers’, make excuses to get out of encounters with germ-spreaders and run from the coughing kissers. But, there is a darker element to the cooler months, with the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) previously reporting a significant rise of deaths in Australia as a result of the changes in seasonal conditions.

The most common issues facing the aged community at this time of year are hay fever and colds. With more than 20 percent of people suffering from hay fever at some point in their life, and with the average adult expected to contract up to four colds each year, it is essential to know who is most at risk, and how to prevent the symptoms.

But before you start raiding your local chemist to stock up on face masks, or bulk buy canned chicken soup and oranges from Woolies, Nick McDonald, a care nurse with more than 20 years’ experience and founder of Prestige Inhome Care, has some tips on how to beat those pesky conditions that can in extreme cases become life-threatening.

Hay fever

Hay fever occurs when a person has an allergic reaction to some of the particles that get trapped in the tiny hairs and mucus of the nose. These particles, which can be anything from dust mites and animal fur to pollen and mould, then react with the body’s immune system, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itchy sinuses, runny nose, red eyes and headaches.

Prevention – One trick I’ve learnt over the years is to smear Vaseline on the inside cavities of your nose, this provides a protective layer between the little nose hairs and the irritating particles that stick to them. There are some great decongestants or saltwater nasal sprays as well as soothing eye drops available, however, if this is an ongoing issue, it’s best to talk with your GP.

Asthma

Asthma affects people with sensitive airways that narrow when irritated, making breathing difficult and sometimes painful. It is generally agreed that asthma can be linked to a combination of causes, including poor diet, genetics and living in a heavily polluted environment. Some of the symptoms of asthma sufferers include wheezing, dry coughs, shortness of breath, and tightness of the chest.

Prevention – Depending on the severity of the asthma, many sufferers benefit from a combination of remedies. Doctors can prescribe medication and an asthma management plan to both prevent and ease the symptoms of asthma, but natural therapies, such as acupuncture, breathing exercises and chiropractic treatments can also be a complementary way to ease the discomfort.

Colds

With more than 200 types of the common cold virus around, it is easy to see why it’s hard to avoid catching a cold at least once each year. These colds become more common during the cooler months, because people tend to keep inside and in closer more confined contact with each other. The cold virus is very easily spread through things like hand contact, coughing and sneezing and can result in a sore throat, headache, fever, swelling of the lymph glands and runny nose which can last anywhere between a few days and a week. 

Prevention – Despite what you may think, medications such as antibiotics and cough medicines generally don’t have any effect on the common cold. The best way to fight this annoying bug is with paracetamol, warming drinks (such as Lemsip), nasal drops and throat lozenges. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to prevent catching the nasty cold, but you can minimise the symptoms and longevity of this virus by preparing your body with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise and, in some cases, vitamin supplements.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Something that is rife in Europe all year round but was previously not a significant threat to Australians, recent studies have shown an increasingly drastic rise of up to 10% in the number of cases of depression recorded during the cooler months.

This is the result of SAD, a condition that is attributed to the shortening of the days and lack of vitamin D from sunlight. Some of the symptoms of SAD include increased tiredness, anxiousness, irritability, over-eating and social ostracism.

Prevention – For severe sufferers, the only effective option may be anti-depressants or sitting in front of specially designed fluorescent lights. However for most cases of SAD, symptoms can be minimised by simply spending an extra half hour outdoors in the natural light and taking Vitamin D supplements.

So who’s most at risk?

The over-60s are the demographic most at risk from the above conditions. As we get older, our immune systems weaken, and surprisingly those as young as 60 can be at risk of more complications when affected by colds, asthma, allergies and SAD. To minimise vulnerability, keep up-to-date with vaccinations, maintain a healthy body weight, enjoy light exercise, ensure vitamin and mineral intake is sufficient and make sure you increase your intake of iron, found in red meat, and dark green veggies to ensure your immune system is in peak condition.

Always make sure that you revisit your GP to check all medications are refreshed with time to spare as often when you’ve run out, the weather is at its worst and trips to the doctor can be treacherous.

With the winter months on our doorstep, ensure to take the right precautions to keep you as healthy as possible as the weather gets colder.

Do you struggle with health problems in winter? How do you manage them? What do you do to stay cold-free in the colder months?