Winter has taken a deadly turn in North India, where a severe cold wave has brought temperatures to the season's lowest level. The minimum temperature in the capital, Delhi, dropped to around 3 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest day so far this winter. The airport and surrounding areas recorded sub-zero temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the severe cold wave will continue for the next few days. The severity of the cold this season is not limited to unbearable temperatures, but is also having a profound impact on our health. Expert doctors at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), Delhi, have advised against considering the cold as "just a weather phenomenon," but rather a serious health risk.

Additional risk to heart patients

According to Dr. Rajeev Narang, Professor in the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS, cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, putting additional strain on the heart. Drinking less water and consuming more salt in winter can increase blood pressure, which further increases the risk of heart attack. Therefore, he especially urges heart patients to take their prescribed medications regularly and avoid exercising or walking outside early in the morning during extremely cold weather. Dr. Narang emphasizes that cold waves should be taken as seriously as heat waves. Just as heat action plans exist, cold action plans are also needed to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups.

Effects on the lungs and respiratory system

Dr. Sanjay Sinha of the Department of Medicine at AIIMS explained that cold air directly affects the respiratory tract. This can cause the airways to constrict, leading to problems like bronchospasm. This problem can be especially dangerous for patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma. Such patients experience increased complaints like coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.

Risks for children and kidney patients

Dr. Rakesh Lodha, professor in the Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS, warned that infants and young children lose body temperature quickly, which can lead to illness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and breathing problems when they get cold. He said that covering the head is crucial for children because the head loses the most heat.

Diabetes and cold combination

Dr. Rajesh Khadgawat, an endocrinology specialist at AIIMS, says that diabetes patients face difficulty controlling blood sugar during the winter season because people are less mobile. It's also worth noting that vaccines like the pneumococcal vaccine can help prevent serious infections during this season, especially in the elderly and frail patients.

 PC:Samacharnama