Wie man diesen Winter warm bleibt

Beeinträchtigt eine Erkältung unser Immunsystem?

Many of us will have been told ‘you'll catch a cold’ when we ventured out without a coat as children. But while there's no evidence that cold directly affects the immune system, cold temperatures might help existing viruses to thrive.

Wie kalt ist zu kalt?

If we're used to wandering around our house in a t-shirt whatever the weather, dropping the heating a couple of degrees might simply mean we need to dress more warmly when indoors. But if we're trying to avoid turning on the heating in the coldest weather, it's important to understand the symptoms of our body becoming dangerously cold.

Mahmood explains that the average normal body temperature is anything between around 36°C and 37.5°C.

"If your core body temperature drops below around 35^°C then signs of hypothermia can set in," he says. "This includes shivering, drowsiness, pallor, initially rapid - and then eventually slowed down - breathing, and a fast heart rate.”

Who is most susceptible?

While being too cold is unpleasant for anyone, some people are more susceptible to the cold than others. Colder temperatures can be especially dangerous to those who are vulnerable or dealing with poor health.

Mahmood adds that low temperatures are more dangerous for people at the extremes of age - such as very small children and the elderly.

Ein Auge auf andere haben

Even if we are not feeling the financial pinch this winter, it's important to be mindful of others. Neighbours or relatives, especially those who are elderly, might be embarrassed to admit they are living in conditions that are too cold. If you are concerned, it's important to be aware of how to know that someone is struggling in the cold temperatures.

Warmhalten im Winter

In this time of financial crisis, staying warm this winter may not be easy. However, the following advice from Age UK may help to stave off the harmful affects of cold weather this winter.

Was ist, wenn ich besorgt bin?

Wenn Sie sich Sorgen um eine ältere oder schutzbedürftige Person machen, sollten Sie unbedingt Rat einholen. Wenn es sich um eine ältere Person handelt, bietet Age UK eine Reihe von Möglichkeiten zur Unterstützung an.

Auch wenn manche Menschen behaupten, dass Kälte "nicht schadet", so ist dies keineswegs der Fall. Es ist wichtig, sich im Winter warm zu halten, um gesund zu bleiben, insbesondere für Menschen, die anfällig sind. Wenn Sie sich Sorgen machen, wenden Sie sich an Freunde oder Verwandte oder suchen Sie einen Arzt auf, wenn Symptome auftreten.