In winter, the climate is cold, and the elderly have declining organ functions, decreased body temperature regulation and cold resistance, and are more prone to the recurrence of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is particularly important for the elderly to strengthen the protection of their organs in winter. Health and wellness experts suggest starting with the nose, brain, heart, stomach, and skin to take protective measures.
Nose Protection
The nose is the "gateway" of the respiratory system. In the elderly, the blood flow to the nasal mucosa decreases, weakening its ability to adhere to bacteria and warm cold air. This can lead to the direct entry of air with bacteria into the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and triggering conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and heart-lung diseases. Nose protection includes nasal massage, regularly rinsing the nose with cool saline solution, avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated public places to reduce bacterial invasion, and wearing a mask when going out to minimize the stimulation of cold air on the nose.
Brain Protection
To prevent stroke, it is important to effectively treat underlying conditions such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. It is also crucial to promptly recognize prodromal symptoms such as sudden dizziness, severe headache, blurred vision, speech difficulties, and numbness in the limbs. If these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Heart Protection
The lower temperatures in winter can increase the incidence of heart diseases. To protect the heart, it is recommended to engage in regular physical exercise, pay attention to warmth and insulation, and for elderly individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, outdoor exercise in winter is not encouraged.
Stomach Protection
The cold stimulus in winter can increase the histamine content in the blood, accelerating gastric acid secretion and making gastric diseases more likely to recur. To protect the stomach, it is important to keep the stomach warm, consume warm and easily digestible food, have small frequent meals, avoid raw and cold food, and quit smoking and alcohol consumption.
Skin Protection
The sebaceous gland function in the elderly decreases, making the skin prone to itching in cold and dry weather. Protective measures include taking a moderate number of baths, using less soap, setting the temperature of electric blankets to a moderate level, and avoiding excessive use. Engaging in regular physical exercise can improve overall blood circulation and promote the secretion of sweat glands and sebaceous glands.
