Understanding And Treating 2 Common Winter Illnesses
From the constant cold and chance of sleet, snow, and ice to having to leave a heated room to go out into the cold air, the winter season can be difficult for your body and mind. Unfortunately, most experts believe the immune system is compromised during the winter season, which affects your body's ability to fight off illnesses. Thankfully, understanding the signs of common winter illnesses can help with an efficient diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few common illnesses you may face during the winter season.
Common Cold
Although it is classified as a viral infection of the nose and throat, the common cold is usually pretty harmless. Of course, it can cause some uncomfortable and overwhelming symptoms.
Everyone is different, but most people with the common cold will experience the following symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Fatigue
While there are no cures, the common cold can be managed, meaning you can relieve some of the illnesses' symptoms. Decongestant nasal sprays can alleviate your nasal congestion and over-the-counter ibuprofen can be used to reduce your body aches and discomfort. Throat lozenges are effective for sore throats and a cough suppressant can be used to stop the coughing.
If you develop a fever while you have the cold or if your symptoms are not improving after a few days, consult a doctor at a walk in medical clinic.
Bronchitis
The bronchial tubes carry air to and from your lungs. If the tubes become irritated, they may develop an inflammation known as bronchitis. In most cases, the constant coughing that occurs during a cold can lead to bronchitis. Or, if you have another illness affecting your respiratory system, you may develop bronchitis.
Signs of bronchitis include a chronic cough that may produce a green, white, or yellow mucous. Bronchitis also causes pressure and discomfort in the chest, body fatigue, chills, and a fever.
You may think antibiotics are necessary, but bronchitis is a viral, not bacterial infection, so a different course of treatment will be recommended. Your doctor will prescribe cough medication to ease the coughing while allowing your bronchial tubes to heal. Rest and recovery are also recommended
It is important to remember you can develop these illnesses any time during the day even though they are most common in the winter. This guide will help you understand an diagnose a few common winter illnesses, so you can start feeling physically and emotionally better.
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