Tips for avoiding cold due to temperature changes

Both high and low temperatures have a negative impact on our health, damaging some of us physiological functions. You can even change the power of our own defenses against pathogenic micro-organisms, as reported by experts from Quirónsalud Murcia and Torrevieja hospitals.

"So, for example, while high temperatures are going to favor pathologies gastrointestinal, low temperatures favor more frequent pathologies respiratory, originated five out of ten visits to the emergency room, "says Dr. Fulgencio Molina, head of the Emergency Department at Quirónsalud Murcia Hospital.

What is vasoconstriction and what causes it?

The vasoconstriction is the closeness (stenosis) of the blood vessels from small muscles to his walls. When the blood vessels contract, blood circulation return slow or crash.

Thus, one of the most important effects of the cold is vasoconstriction that causes changes in both cardiovascular, increased blood pressure and heart rate, as in the area nasal, where it creates that the mucus is more dense.

Dr. Gemma Ramón, the family doctor of Quirónsalud Torrevieja, warns that "vasoconstriction caused by low temperatures increases the likelihood of myocardial infarction in patients with cardiovascular risk and promotes formation thrombi. On the other hand, nasal vasoconstriction reduces the ability to eradicate the viruses we inhale, which together with the fact that we remain more without ventilation such as offices, schools, etc., increases the risk of infection by viral diseases of the respiratory system such as cold, flu or pneumonia. "

Symptoms of viral diseases of the respiratory system

These viral diseases of the respiratory system can be addressed low fever, musculoskeletal pain, malaise, cough and mucus. In addition, they may be complicated in patients with chronic diseases such as heart disease, COPD and diabetes, presenting in these cases more severe symptoms such as high fever, chest pain and dyspnoea or respiratory distress. Similarly, it will negatively affect obese, smokers and people over the age of 65 or under 5 years of age, as emphasized by Dr. Ramón.

Tips for dealing with sudden temperature changes

To avoid all these conditions, they are specialists of Quirónsalud are vaccinated, especially in the high-risk population, to avoid exposure to sudden temperature fluctuations, to increase the intake of fruit, especially citrus fruits, and medical control of the most vulnerable population.

In addition, it is recommended:

• Babyr very liquid: Drinking plenty of water is always healthy, and in these cases more. Water helps eliminate toxins and prevents the entry of viruses into our bodies.

• Take itr vitamins: During this time of temperature changes, our immune system is affected, so it is important to provide nutrients and vitamins. We can follow a diet rich in nutrients or take vitamin supplements.

• Avoidr the crowd: Although it is not always feasible, if we are vulnerable to colds, exposure to crowds, as well as public transport, can cause infections.

• Lavarse hands often: This action, especially before meals, can reduce the chances of respiratory illness by 30%.

• Aerationr the room: At least once a day it is advisable to ventilate the house and close the windows before the sunset.

About Chirónsalud

Quirónsalud is the largest hospital group in Spain and the third in Europe. They are present in 13 autonomous communities, has the most advanced technology and offers more than 6,500 beds in more than 100 centers, such as the Jiménez Díaz Foundation, Quirónsalud University Hospital in Madrid, Dexeus University Hospital, Ruber, Teknon Medical Center, La Luz Hospital, Policlínica de Guipúzcoa, etc., as well as a large group of professionals highly specialized and internationally recognized.

We are working to promote it teaching (seven of our hospitals are universities) and the medical-scientific research (we have it FJD Health Research Institute, the only private research center accredited by the Minister for Research, Development and Innovation).

Similarly, the help desk is organized units and transverse networks which allow the optimization of accumulated experience in the various centers and the clinical translation of our research. Currently, Quirónsalud is developing a lot research projects across Spain and many of its centers have a leading role in this area, making it a pioneer in different specialties such as cardiology, endocrinology, gynecology, neurology, oncology and sports medicine, among others.