To have a healthy life, we must plan for our health at the beginning of the new year. We should take preventive measures against common seasonal diseases.
Spring
Five Taboos and Four Preventions to Remember
Avoid eating raw and cold food. Eat nutritious and easily digestible light food and minimize the consumption of raw and cold food to prevent gastrointestinal diseases.
Avoid going to crowded places. Older adults should avoid frequent visits to crowded public places. Rinse the mouth with salt water, eat a few cloves of raw garlic, or use vinegar for indoor fumigation to prevent diseases.
Avoid excessive sleep. According to traditional Chinese medicine, prolonged bed rest can weaken the body's energy. Therefore, older adults should maintain a regular sleep schedule and sleep for about eight hours a day.
Avoid being inactive. Regular outdoor activities can allow you to breathe fresh air and enhance cardiovascular and pulmonary functions. Sunlight can also kill skin bacteria and viruses and boost the immune system.
Avoid improper clothing. Older adults should gradually adapt to the change in temperature by dressing appropriately to prevent colds and related risks such as pneumonia, emphysema, and heart disease.
Facial dermatitis: Patients with allergies should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and the use of topical ointments containing hormones, as this can complicate facial dermatitis.
Rhinitis: Preventing colds is the first step in preventing rhinitis, as colds often trigger this condition. It is important to keep the room well-ventilated to maintain fresh air.
Peptic ulcers: Avoid overexertion and mental stress, maintain a regular diet, and consume light food. Additionally, smoking and alcohol can irritate and damage the esophagus and stomach mucosa.
Asthma: Pay attention to weather changes, adjust clothing accordingly, avoid exposure to irritating substances, and ensure regular indoor ventilation.
Summer
Key to Resisting "Age-related Diseases"
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Patients with respiratory diseases such as COPD should pay attention to temperature, prevent colds, and avoid exposure to harmful gases such as cooking fumes. From summer to winter, washing the face with cold water can increase cold tolerance. Abdominal breathing exercises can be done, inhaling to expand the abdomen and exhaling, 1-2 times a day, for 10-20 minutes each time. Severe respiratory distress patients can use home oxygen therapy. Winter treatment methods can also be used in summer.
Acute gastroenteritis: Older adults should choose fresh and light food in summer, avoid greasy food, drink more water, and avoid storing food in the refrigerator for too long. Rest is also important.
Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a light diet to prevent intestinal infections. During hot and humid weather, avoid excessive exercise, drink plenty of water, and maintain electrolyte balance. Regular blood glucose monitoring is necessary. Pay attention to preventing diabetic foot, as walking barefoot is more common in summer and can easily lead to fungal and bacterial infections. It is advisable for diabetic patients to wear thin cotton socks and shoes instead of sandals or slippers.
Osteoporosis: Avoid excessive exposure to strong sunlight during "sunbathing" as it can cause skin diseases. Moderate exercise such as walking and swimming is recommended.
Summer emotional disorders: Older adults should pay attention to napping and ensure adequate sleep. Avoid vigorous exercise during high temperatures to prevent physical exhaustion. Maintain a scientific diet and replenish water and sodium to prevent electrolyte imbalance.
Summer dermatitis: Older adults should avoid direct sunlight in summer and wear loose, cotton clothing. Spicy food should be consumed in moderation.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Older adults should minimize outdoor activities during high-temperature periods. Exercise should be done correctly, and water and salt should be replenished in a timely manner after exercise to maintain sufficient blood volume and dilute the blood. Avoid setting the air conditioner temperature too low and minimize the number of times entering and exiting air-conditioned rooms. Measure blood pressure frequently, adjust antihypertensive medications according to medical advice, and avoid exercising during the "danger period" of high blood pressure, which is from 6 am to 10 am when atmospheric pressure is low. Choose afternoon or evening for exercise.
Autumn
Focus on Enhancing Immunity
Diarrhea: In autumn, as the temperature is still relatively high and food is prone to spoilage, eating leftovers and cold dishes can easily cause diarrhea. Coriander has antibacterial properties, so it can be added to cold dishes. Food in the refrigerator should be wrapped with plastic wrap or stored in airtight containers. If diarrhea occurs, consume liquid foods such as rice soup and tea, limit the intake of fiber-rich foods to protect the intestinal mucosa, and consume yogurt during the recovery period to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines.
Dryness syndrome: The best way to alleviate it is to drink more water. In autumn, older adults should consume 2000 to 2400 milliliters of water per day. Upon waking up in the morning, when blood concentration is high, it is recommended to drink 700 milliliters of water, which helps dilute the blood and cleanse the intestines. Avoiding dry foods such as deer antler and cinnamon when taking tonics is also important. Using a humidifier at home can increase indoor humidity.
Cough: The dryness of autumn can easily trigger coughs, especially in older adults who enjoy spicy food. According to traditional Chinese medicine, spicy foods can damage the lungs, leading to dry cough. Excessive coughing can also damage the liver. Therefore, it is advisable to consume less spicy food and more acidic foods such as vegetables, fruits, and meat. Sour foods can produce saliva and nourish the liver and lungs.
Chronic bronchitis: Autumn has large temperature differences between morning and evening, making it a high-risk season for asthma and bronchitis in older adults. It is important for older adults to add clothing appropriately and avoid exposing the back to cold air, as it is the thinnest part of the body. However, older adults should also engage in necessary cold resistance exercises in autumn and not immediately add clothing when the weather turns slightly colder. Washing the face with cold water is recommended. Avoid allergens such as flowers and paint, and consume less allergenic foods such as fish and shrimp to prevent exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
Depression: The melancholic scenery of autumn can easily evoke feelings of loneliness and sadness in older adults. Prolonged isolation can lead to depression. Older adults should participate in suitable activities for the elderly, such as hiking and chrysanthemum appreciation, to maintain a cheerful mental state. It is advisable to go to bed and wake up early, with a wake-up time between 5 and 6 o'clock. Engage in moderate outdoor activities such as tai chi and walking, but avoid excessive physical exertion. Large amounts of exercise should be avoided.
Winter
Prevent Four Diseases and Spend Winter Safely
Fluctuating temperatures can lead to cerebrovascular diseases. Cold weather is one of the factors contributing to cerebrovascular diseases because blood vessels contract in low-temperature environments, resulting in increased blood pressure and increased load on the heart. This greatly increases the chances of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, individuals with hypertension should regularly measure blood pressure, take antihypertensive medication on time, and maintain blood pressure at a stable level of 130/80 mmHg. If there are significant fluctuations in blood pressure, seek medical advice promptly. Before winter, older adults should undergo tests for coagulation function, blood viscosity, and carotid artery ultrasound, and take medication under medical guidance based on the test results.
Gastrointestinal diseases are more prevalent during the season change. During the winter season change, the incidence of chronic gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and other conditions among older adults increases significantly. Peptic ulcers and duodenal ulcers are common, and many people experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, acid reflux, and vomiting. Functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and other digestive problems are also common. Aging of the digestive organs in older adults often leads to atypical symptoms, and it is often accompanied by hypertension, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and multiorgan damage. Therefore, if there are any digestive issues, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.
Respiratory infections caused by viruses are more common. Many older adults are afraid of the cold, so they reduce outdoor activities in winter and keep their doors and windows tightly closed, resulting in poor indoor air circulation and increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. This can lead to respiratory diseases. Therefore, older adults should maintain a certain level of outdoor activity in winter and ensure proper indoor ventilation. Even if the temperature is low, it is important to open windows regularly for ventilation and open windows slightly before bedtime and upon waking up. Getting chilled increases the risk of viral invasion, so it is important to exercise regularly, have a balanced diet, and keep warm. If symptoms of a severe cold occur, prompt treatment is necessary.
Stable blood pressure is key to preventing strokes. Controlling blood pressure is crucial as it is closely related to the occurrence of strokes. When blood pressure fluctuates significantly, individuals may experience discomfort such as headaches and irritability. Some may feel chest tightness and other changes. It is important to monitor one's body condition and check if blood pressure is stable. If it is stable, the situation is generally good. If it is unstable, it is necessary to consult a medical professional and take medication to stabilize blood pressure.
