How does the change of season affect our health?

Being well-nourished is more effective than simply taking vitamin C supplements to prevent colds. If you have a sick person, at home or in the office, it is not advisable to close everything so that "the cold does not pass"

In Lima, winter is synonymous with humidity , and at the beginning of the season start to increase the cases of respiratory infections and allergies. In order for people to take better care of themselves and their loved ones, Dr. Miguel Vidangos, internist at SANNA Clínica San Borja, wants to comment on some of the myths that may surround the change of season.

1. Climate change makes us sick: If you are allergic or suffer from asthma, this is especially true for you. When cold and moisture come together, which is characteristic of Lima's climate, allergies and respiratory infections typical of the season are often generated as cold, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition, asthma intensifies because it is a bronchial disease.

2. Washing or touching cold things produces arthritis: This myth will not prevent you from washing dishes or clothes. Although the cause of this chronic disease is not yet known, it is generally believed that the cold generates it. However, it is because people are more sensitive to the change of season because joint pain is aggravated.

3. I need to take more vitamin C to prevent colds: You do not need to drink liters of orange juice. If you are well fed, especially at the ends of life, as in children and older adults, you should not have a problem because your defenses will be strengthened. And even though we talk a lot about vitamin C as an important factor in preventing the disease, it's not so true. Just taking a vitamin C supplement will not keep you from getting sick.

4. Cooler, Overcoat: You should not put a ton of clothes out. Although low temperatures require us to be constantly under cover, the ideal is to stay cool, that is, not too hot for us to be sweaty, or in too cold weather.

5. If someone falls sick, we all get sick: Not necessarily. This is true to the extent that we do not ventilate the rooms. For example, if a child gets sick, everything is closed so that "the cold does not pass", so that the family gets sick because there is no ventilation and the virus spreads . The same thing happens in the office when the windows are closed. Therefore, it is recommended that ventilation be permanent so that there is an airflow and that it is constantly renewed.

To prevent illness in people prone to seasonal allergies and to worsen asthma in some patients, Dr. Vidangos recommended the use of dehumidifiers (dry ball or other specialized devices) to remove the disease. Environmental humidity and especially if you have a parent who is allergic to the home.

"You can keep environments clean and avoid having a lot of objects (such as soft toys or paints), so that there is no problem." places where dirt, moisture and others can accumulate, as this promotes the appearance of mites and molds, "says

80% of consultations currently concern symptoms respiratory tract, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, less bronchitis, and much less pneumonia.We are at the time of climate changes and by the lack of ventilation in homes and offices, the contagion is faster.