Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, January 10: The District Health Department advised the residents of the district to protect themselves from the cold wave and said that the harsh winter season can cause many health problems and these can be avoided by taking precautions. Civil Surgeon Dr. Sangeeta Jain said that prolonged exposure to cold increases the possibility of many diseases like flu, runny nose, hypothermia, heart attack etc. She said that one should stay indoors to avoid diseases and flu etc. Doors and windows of houses should be kept well closed so that cold air does not come inside.
She said that it is very important to keep the body warm or hot to increase the immunity of the body, so along with a balanced diet rich in Vitamin C, one should also keep taking hot/lukewarm liquids at regular intervals. Apart from this, warm/woolen clothes with multiple layers should be worn. The elderly need to take special care of their health during these days. They should avoid walking outside in fog and severe cold. Elderly and heart patients should avoid walking in the morning and evening.
Dr. Jain said that fire should never be lit in a closed room in the house during the winter season, because burning fire produces carbon monoxide gas and due to which there is a lack of oxygen in the closed room, which can prove fatal. It is noteworthy that the Health Department has already issued instructions to the senior medical officers of the hospitals under the district to make necessary arrangements in the hospitals for the treatment of patients suffering from cold.
The Civil Surgeon said that due to low body temperature, there may be tremors in speech, drowsiness, muscle stiffness, difficulty in breathing. People suffering from hypothermia i.e. a sharp drop in body temperature should consult a doctor as soon as possible. He said that people should avoid drinking alcohol as alcohol lowers body temperature and increases the risk of hypothermia. He said that in case of any kind of health problem, the Health Department's helpline number 104 can be contacted.