By Sanjeev Shekhar
With dipping mercury costing human lives in the state, well acclaimed medical practitioners have advised that precautionary and preventive measures should be the ‘mantra’ to combat cold wave. The doctors believe that elderly people and children are the worst affected in the given situation and thus should be protected by remaining indoors.
The sudden dip in temperature or excessive cold can cause human ailments ranging from brain hemorrhage or brain attack to heart attack and even viral infection commonly known as influenza. “Those suffering blood pressure or are borderline cases they are more prone to Infarc (i.e brainstroke or brain attack) and heart attack. Despite the fact they appear healthy but sudden change in the temperature might prove fatal for such patients,” said the neuro-surgeon Dr. Sanjay Kumar of Apollo Hospital.
Dr Sanjay has recently won accolades at the national forum for recognition of his outstanding contribution in up-liftment of Neuro-surgery facilities in poor states like Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. He firmly held that instead of experimenting, which is common among elders it’s better to take precaution in order to remain safe. “Elders in the village-side take cold water bath in order to prove they are healthy. This is wrong because such type of experiments might prove danger to life. Also, they should avoid morning walk and wait for the sunrise before setting out,” he asserted.
However, the noted cardio-physician and top-notch specialist Dr. Rai Chandi Nath Sahay strongly believed that chances of getting chest infection including Pneumonia and fear of getting paralyses are much higher at this time. “My advice is to keep the face & ears well covered, keep the room temperature warm and always cover the head during such excessive cold,” said Dr. Sahay.
Diseases like influenza and hypothermia (sudden fall in body temperature) are likely to hit the patients badly. “If it’s raining outside during winter, one should avoid going out in any case,” informed Dr. Sahay.
Though the district administration has issued notice to change the school timing for the safety of kids, it’s also necessary that parents should take utmost care and keep them properly covered when they are going out. The doctors believe that kids should avoid going out early morning or late evening, as they are more prone to respiratory tract infection.
Two types of infection are commonly observed among the children. According to the noted pediatric of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Dr Rajiv Kumar children are commonly affected with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) that causes high fever, vomiting and loose motion. “Broncho-pneumonia is very common among children and there is a rise in such cases during winter. Elders sneeze out the cough through nose but the children are unable to do so. Hence, the cough is driven through intestine during their defecation,” stated Dr. Rajiv.
He pointed out that there are certain side effects as there is connectivity of mouth with ears. “Generally children complain of ear pain and at times fluid flows from ear due to acute infection. This can only be avoided by covering them properly,” said the child specialist.
Five-point precautions to be taken during cold wave/winter-
For old people/elders
1. Keep the room temperature warm/use heater
2. Always cover yourself fully.Wear caps for covering head, hand-gloves and socks
3. Avoid as much as possible to set out when it’s raining during winter
4. Old people must avoid morning walk, must avoid exercise in the open & must take adequate rest
5. Regular check-up of blood pressure those suffering from the disease
For children/kids-
1. Must avoid going out early morning and late evening
2. Must cover fully particularly head and ears
3. Should not take cold water bath
4. Should not drink cold water, avoid fruits and curd (dahi)
5. Always give warm milk and warm food to children
Warm Regards---Sanjeev Shekhar (Journalist & Media Consultant)
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