TEMPERATURES have plunged in the UK, with snow and ice covering large parts of the country.
While you might have had to put a blanket on to ward off the cold, experts have warned the cold burst could have a life-threatening impact your health – particularly for those with a certain condition.
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For some, winter means Christmas time with family and snuggling up by the fire with a hot cup of tea.
But for others it’s the time of year persistent health conditions flare up – or new issues arise.
Health issues that may rear their ugly head more in winter include, dry skin, hair loss, joint pain, brittle bones, seasonal depression, incontinence, blood clots and heart attacks.
Sudden changes in temperature cause thermal stress for the body – which has to work harder to maintain its constant temperature.
Read more on winter viruses
In particular, research has shown this makes it more likely for people to suffer from dangerous blood clots during winter.
Cold, dry air can irritate the airways and lungs and worsen symptoms like breathlessness, coughing and wheezing.
It also weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight respiratory infections like colds and flu.
Here, we take a look at some of the conditions that get worse in cold weather…
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Plummeting temperatures and icy conditions can trigger potentially life-threatening flare-ups, warned Asthma + Lung UK.
Wintry weather can affect lung conditions because cold air can cause the airways to narrow, which can increase the amount of mucus produced and make it harder for you to breathe.
It’s estimated 1.2 million adults are already living with the condition, and its prevalence is expected to increase by 40 per cent over the next six years.
But many people with COPD can have it for years without realising because symptoms develop slowly.
A recent poll carried out by TidalSense found many Brits are unaware of the key symptoms.
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The dry air can also impact people with asthma more as it can irritate their airways and make their symptoms even worse.
Blood clots
Blood clots can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is commonly referred to as a silent killer.
That’s because you might not always notice the symptoms, especially in the winter months.
The NHS says the key symptoms of DVT are:
- Throbbing or cramping pain in one leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
- Swelling in one leg (rarely both legs)
- Warm skin around the painful area
- Red or darkened skin around the painful area
- Swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them
Heart attacks
People with heart conditions like angina may experience a worsening in their symptoms during the winter months.
Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles.
While it’s not usually life-threatening, it’s a warning sign you could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke, warns the NHS.
Cold weather can also cause blood to become thicker and stickier and more likely to form clots – which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of angina to look out for include chest pain that:
- feels tight, dull or heavy – it may spread to your arms, neck, jaw or back
- is triggered by physical exertion or stress
- stops within a few minutes of resting
Diabetes
The colder weather can also wreak havoc on your pelvic floor, and subsequently lead to issues with incontinence.
While the change in temperature could leave you running to the loo, it could also be a sign of diabetes.
Experts at The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases warned that diabetes can cause nerve damage to your urinary tract, causing bladder problems.
“Overweight and obesity also can increase bladder problems, such as urinary incontinence (UI). Managing diabetes is an important part of preventing problems that can lead to excess urination,” they added.
Experts also previously warned that hair loss could be an early sign of diabetes.
One of the more subtle symptoms of the condition could be hair loss, said Barbie Cervoni, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist.
The symptoms of diabetes you need to know according to the NHS:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling very tired
- Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
- Blurred vision
Skin conditions
Winter can also lead to drier skin which means those with eczema will most likely find they’re more affected than others.
This can also see the scalp get flaky and itchy which dries out and damages hair follicles and can result in hair loss.
Cold air can also cause ‘winter itch’, a common type of skin irritation known as pruritus hiemalis that’s caused by cold weather.
Icy winds and toasty indoor heating can leach your skin of its natural moisture, making it cracked, red and uncontrollably itchy in the winter.
It can affect anyone, but you might be particularly vulnerable to this unpleasant seasonal side effect if you have pre-existing skin conditions or sensitive skin.
Osteoporosis
Arthrtis sufferers may notice their joints are getting sorer, too.
That’s because when it’s cold the body sends blood to the core organs, leaving the joints stiff and causing nerve endings to be more sensitive.
And the lack of sunlight can see the body deprived of vitamin D, which can result in a loss of skeletal tissue or brittle bones.
Experts at Bangkok International Hospital said brittle bones might also be a sign of silent killer osteoporosis.
“Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle, therefore even minor trauma or mild stress can cause a fracture.
“Moreover, osteoporosis in the spine often leads to loss of height over time. Osteoporosis frequently refers to “the silent killer” since it usually exhibits no symptoms,” the experts said.
The NHS says osteoporosis develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break.
They added: “Some older people develop the characteristic stooped (bent forward) posture.
“It happens when the bones in the spine have broken, making it difficult to support the weight of the body,” the experts said.
Seasonal affective disorder
The colder months can also lead to seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression, which is more likely to affect people who already struggle with their mental health.
That’s because more darkness outside can even disrupt a person’s circadian rhythm.
According to the NHS, signs you might be depressed include:
- a persistent low mood
- a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
- feeling irritable
- feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
- low self-esteem
- tearfulness
- feeling stressed or anxious
- a reduced sex drive
- becoming less sociable
If you think you might have SAD and you’re finding it difficult to copy, see your COPD.
Symptoms of COPD to look out for
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that makes breathing increasingly more difficult.
It can develop slowly over many years, so many people may not be aware they have it at first.
Most people with COPD do not have any noticeable symptoms until they reach their late 40s or 50s.
Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath – this may only happen when exercising at first, and you may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless
- A persistent chesty cough with phlegm that does not go away
- Frequent chest infections
- Persistent wheezing
Less common symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Swollen ankles from a build-up of fluid (oedema)
- Chest pain and coughing up blood – although these are usually signs of another condition, such as chest infection or possibly lung cancer.
If you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you’re over 35 and smoke or used to smoke, see a GP.
Source: NHS
