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Health & Fitness

Helpful Tips for a Healthy Winter from Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Internal Medicine Physician Dr. David Vigder shares insightful tips on how to prevent and treat many common winter ailments.

 

By Dr. David Vigder, MD, SC

 

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What can people do leading up to the winter season to help their bodies prepare for the shift in climate?

Develop healthy habits! Start and maintain good exercise and diet habits now that you can continue throughout winter. Soon it will be too cold outside to exercise, so plan ahead now and locate a place where you can keep up your workout regimen once winter hits. “Comfort foods” are another big winter health pitfall. It is tempting to lean on them in gloomy weather, but those extra calories will greatly impact your health in the long run.  


What are the most common illnesses you typically treat during the winter time of year and what treatment options are available for those illnesses?

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Infections - Most patients come in to my office sore throats, inflamed sinuses, or bronchitis.

Treatment?  I’m always looking out for infections that are on their way to becoming more serious problems. Most worrisome are people who have had prolonged symptoms (greater than 10 days), a high fever (greater than 101), or severe pain or discomfort in their sinuses, throat or chest. If this is the case, you need to get evaluated by a physician who might need to order X-rays or start antibiotics.  

Otherwise, get as much rest as possible to help your immune system fight off the disease. Drink plenty of fluids and try to help clear the mucous in your respiratory tract with nasal saline or humidified air. NLFH also provides medicated nebulizer treatments in the office that help ease breathing by opening up small airways. Also, use over-the-counter cold medications with caution given the many different ingredients combined into one product.

 

Heart Disease- This is most feared winter time illness. Some patients don’t recognize the signs of a heart attack while shoveling snow because they are preoccupied with finishing the job or the freezing of their fingers and toes.  

Treatment? Never ignore pain in the chest, shortness of breath, sudden nausea or heartburn. These could be the signs of a heart attack. Stop shoveling and seek medical attention immediately.

 

Bone and joint injuries- This happens most frequently from slipping on ice. 

Treatment? Be smart when walking outdoors. There is no good reason to walk on ice if there is another way to get to your destination. If you do slip, get a prompt evaluation and X-rays of an injured limb. It can lead to better treatment and faster healing. It is also critical that you get any head injuries evaluated immediately to rule out serious concussions or intracranial bleeding, which could be life threatening.

 

Winter depression - This commonly occurs as a result of the lack of sunlight and shortened days.

Treatment? Always seek help from your physician if you feel your depression is getting worse or keeping you from doing your routine daily activities. Treating depression and anxiety is one the most rewarding things we do at NLFH. Patients can get great relief knowing that they are not alone when dealing with such a disabling illness. Medications are appropriate for more severe symptoms and can help patients get through some very rough times.

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