Winter Woes Begone

Beat the cold-weather blues with our complete wellness guide

- Vaidehee Deshpande

Every winter sees the whole family either sniffling or nursing the flu, not to mention respiratory diseases, heart ailments and cold-weather headaches. Here’s what to do to keep you and your family healthy—and happy—through the chilly months.

HEART DISEASE & STROKE

Winter temperatures can be harsh on people with heart ailments. “Cold weather may cause blood vessels to contract, raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes,” says Dr Ravi Gupta, cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai. Likewise, heart problems, such as angina or chest pain, can also worsen when the mercury falls. “Our own eight-year study shows an increase in the number of coronary-care admissions in the winter months,” says Dr Ganesh Kumar, head of Interventional Cardiology at Dr L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai.

WHAT TO DO

Exercise regularly and get some sun to control BP and boost your vitamin-D levels. Include heart-friendly foods such as berries, avocados, leafy-green vegetables, beans and whole grains in your daily diet.

RESPIRATORY ILLNESS