9 Common Autumn and Winter Diseases You Must Be Aware Of

Every season brings with it its own set of diseases and health issues, and autumn and winter are no exceptions to this. Drastic weather fluctuations give the human body a hard time to adjust to the changes and hence, most of us fall sick during the weather transition. From hot summer days to leaping cold nights, we are exposed to the risk of acquiring diseases like a cough, cold, flu, and more. Only a strong immune system can help you steer away from these seasonal ailments and keep you fit throughout. So, ensure you adhere to all the preventive measures this season and stay aware of all the common autumn and winter diseases.

Diseases during Autumn and Winter Season

1) Cold

The common cold is known to affect anyone any time of the year. However, it is more persistent or at its peak during the winter months. Every year, over a billion individuals acquire a severe common cold condition and suffer from grave difficulties. A self-limited contagious disease, it can be caused by many different types of viruses. Cold gives you a runny or stuffed nose, general fatigue, body ache and constant sneezing sessions. The best way to keep away from the common cold is by either adapting to the below-mentioned home remedies or seek a physician’s assistance.

• Stay hydrated
• Gargle with salt water
• Have some honey for instant relief
• Use a humidifier to soothe your cough and loosen up secretions in the nasal passages
• Avoid drinking cold water and other liquids

2) Stomach Flu

This infection is more prevalent during the autumn and winter months. When your immune system becomes weak, your body faces difficulty in fighting against the effects of bacteria. Though it’s not something serious, it can surely turn troublesome for individuals who ignore seeking an early treatment. The most common symptoms of stomach infection include vomiting, excessive thirst, green stool, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite and pain the abdominal area. It’s a self-treatable ailment and does not require any specific course of treatment. However, if the condition worsens, it’s best to seek the assistance of a physician rather than relying on traditional treatment methods. Some home remedies for stomach flu are as follows:-

• Switch to brat diet – eat rice, toast, and bananas
• Ensure washing your hands, vegetables and cooking utensils before preparing food
• Plentiful sleep helps
• Stay hydrated
• Use heating pads to seek relief against pain
• Zinc supplements help reduce severity

Things/Foods you must avoid include the following:-

• Dairy products
• Caffeinated drinks like coffee, black tea, and chocolate
• Spicy foods
• Acidic foods
• Artificial sweeteners
• Alcohol

3) Heart Attack

Individuals with an underlying heart condition must take care of themselves, especially during the winter months. This is because, the changing season brings along many breathing problems, which directly or indirectly increase the chances a person suffering from a heart disease or condition. Smart tips to prevent this problem are as follows:-

• Eat small meals at regular intervals
• Regularly monitor blood pressure level
• Don’t skip prescribed medications
• Avoid smoking and drinking
• Bathe in hot water and stay indoors
• Get yourself regularly checked
• Limit Salt intake

4) Pneumonia

One of the most significant diseases affecting people in autumn and winter months is Pneumonia. It’s a lung infection caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Physicians suggest that symptoms of Pneumonia must not be ignored or taken lightly, for if the infection is not treated at the earliest, it can gravely hamper the functionality of the lungs, the brain and many related organs of the body. The following measures can help you improve your condition.

• Basil leaves help to avoid pneumonia
• Ginger is good for soothing throat soreness
• Stay hydrated
• Take aspirin for fever
• Spinach and carrot juice help boost the immune system
• Garlic fights against bacteria

5) Bronchiolitis

Caused by a viral infection that disturbs the air passages in the lungs, Bronchiolitis mainly appears in infants, but affect adults as well. While, at first, it seems quite similar to a common cold, but as the condition progresses, it causes a breathing problem. Seeking immediate treatment can help prevent the disease from turning fatal. Some common symptoms of bronchiolitis are as follows:-

• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Fast breathing
• Sluggish appearance
• Wheezing

6) Throat Infection

On the list is another common, yet chronic disease that’s common during the autumn and the winter months – throat infection. It’s painful, itchy and scratchy that makes us uncomfortable. Most throat infections are a result of a persisting infection or some environmental factors, such as dry air. The good side of this infection is that it’s easily treatable and doesn’t post any serious risk to one’s health. Some home remedies to treat a throat infection are as follows:-

• Eat an ice-cream
• Talk a bit less
• Take honey mixed with tea
• Chamomile tea is effective in soothing a sore throat
• Liquorice root is good for treating the infection type
• Gargle twice a day with hot water to get rid of bad mucus depositing in the throat.

7) Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma, as the name suggests, is a condition wherein an individual suffers from an asthmatic condition as a result of an allergic reaction. Individuals with allergic asthma usually experience symptoms as soon as they inhale an allergen. Many physicians claim allergic asthma to be a deadly disease, which must be cured, as soon as an individual experiences its symptoms. Common means to avoid an allergic asthma are as below:-

• Maintain a clean and tidy place
• Have a smoke-free home
• Have an effective treatment plan
• Wash your hands regularly
• Don’t sit around the fireplace for too long
• Avoid eating foods that you’re allergic to

8) Norovirus

A highly contagious virus can spread through food and drink. One must visit a doctor if he/she develops diarrhea that doesn’t go away, in a couple of days. Having this infection makes an individual feel healthy to depreciate in just a day or two. Some common symptoms include headache, fatigue, fever, and chills. Antibiotics are usually suggested to kill bacterial infection and offer relief. Some basic ways to prevent norovirus are as follows:-

• Stay hydrated
• Take elderberry
• A cup of hot fennel herb can help
• Ginger helps reduce vomiting and allay nausea
• Eat a healthy diet

9) Raynaud’s Syndrome

Also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, it’s a condition wherein the flow of blood to your fingers, toes, nose, and ears gets restricted. This typically happens when the blood vessels present in these areas constrict. The best way to know you have Raynaud’s Syndrome is by studying its common symptoms – colour changes in the skin, stinging pain and stress. It is highly advised that you must not take these symptoms lightly and seek a physician’s assistance right away. Numerous steps can be taken to improve your condition. These are as follows:-

• Meditation helps relax tension in the body
• Eat foods like chicken, seafood, port, and mushrooms
• Ginger helps warm up the body
• Exercising helps improve blood flow
• Massage your hands and feeta
• Citrus foods are good

Fall into good health practices this autumn and winter season and enjoy the year. Don’t get caught up with any of these diseases. And, if you do, seek the assistance of your physician right away. For a timely treatment can help you lead a healthy and safe life.