Prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in winter

   Every winter, after centralized heating in the north, it is as warm as spring indoors and freezing outdoors, increasing the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, resulting in human maladjustment. Medical meteorology also confirms that respiratory diseases are most affected by seasonal factors and weather changes. Rapid warming and cooling, dry climate, hazy weather, and indoor and outdoor air pollution are all reasons for the high incidence of respiratory diseases. In addition, due to the cold weather, people reduce outdoor exercise, the body’s resistance has decreased, coupled with the elderly, children and chronic disease patients themselves are immune deficient, due to the winter closed doors and windows, ventilation is insufficient, indoor carbon dioxide concentration is too high, long-term exposure to dry and dirty air, it is easy to trigger respiratory diseases. Therefore, winter is a high season for respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary heart disease, asthma, laryngitis, rhinitis and other respiratory diseases. In addition, some common respiratory infections such as influenza, epidemic meningitis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, rubella, etc., are spread by airborne germs mainly through coughing and sneezing via droplets and dust, and also by contact with patients’ secretions. Therefore, in winter, it is important to pay special attention to the health of children and the elderly, to patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and other lung diseases, and to do a good job in the prevention of respiratory diseases.  Take care to stay away from pathogenic factors that cause respiratory diseases in winter. Try to go to places where people are concentrated, the space is confined and the circulation is poor, such as shopping malls, theaters, concert halls and other public places. The elderly and children should not live in newly renovated rooms for as long as possible, because the air in the room contains formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and other pollutants can stimulate the human respiratory system and mucous membranes, leading to the incidence of various respiratory diseases. Usually pay attention to open the windows and ventilation, it is best to open the windows 2-3 times a day between 10 am and 4 pm, to keep the indoor air fresh and clean, to avoid the indoor temperature is too high and humidity is too low, the general indoor temperature is maintained at about 22 degrees, humidity of about 50% is appropriate. Do not go outdoors during hazy weather.  First of all, pay attention to keep warm and add clothes in time with the change of temperature. Especially from the higher temperature indoor to the cold outdoor must wear warm clothes, shoes and socks, if necessary wear a mask, the elderly and children better wear a hat, try to avoid cold and cold, especially pay attention to the head, neck, back and foot warmth. Moderate physical exercise can promote blood circulation, improve the body’s ability to withstand cold and resistance to disease, but beware of cold and cold after sweating from exercise. The old and frail can go out in good weather to move their limbs, according to their ability, generally to walk, aerobics, taijiquan and other gentle exercise is appropriate. In winter to ensure adequate sleep. Chinese medicine believes that the winter is cold, is the season of hibernation, should be convergence of yin and protection of Yang, reduce exercise, early to bed and late to keep 8-10 hours of sleep every day. Soak your feet in hot water every day before bed can eliminate fatigue and improve sleep quality. Sufficient sleep is conducive to the body’s yang energy and the accumulation of yin essence, so that the body maintains a healthy state of “yin and yang secret, the spirit is to cure”.  In the diet, you can take appropriate supplements, increase the heat, pay attention to a balanced diet, and eat less spicy and other stimulating foods. Eat more meat, eggs, milk and other foods with high nutritional value to warm the kidney and strengthen the body; eat more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, which can neutralize toxins in the body and improve the ability to fight diseases; some seasonal vegetables and fruits, such as cabbage, radish, pear, sugar cane, lotus root, water chestnut, etc. have the effect of strengthening the spleen, benefiting the lungs, relieving cough and expectorant; in addition, silver fungus, lily and hawthorn have good calming and tranquilizing effects. In addition, silver fungus, lily of the valley, hawthorn has a very good tranquilizer, cough, blood circulation and lowering lipids, these foods are the best food to take care of respiratory health in winter. Winter climate is dry, pay attention to drink more water to prevent water deficiency in the body, generally boiled water or light salt water is appropriate; to prevent indoor dryness in winter, air pollution, you can use humidifiers, air purifiers to improve indoor air quality, but it is best to use the quality of certified brand machines.  In addition, you can also use traditional Chinese medicine to improve the body’s resistance to prevent respiratory diseases. For example, “three nine stickers” and “three nine moxibustion” are very effective methods. By applying stimulating medications to acupuncture points, the continuous stimulation of acupuncture points, the movement of Qi and blood, so that the body’s Yang energy is more abundant, strengthening the ability to resist the cold, for various indications of chronic patients, this therapy will help them spend a comfortable winter.