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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛЮТИЙ 2015 WWW.UNWLA.ORG 33 WINTERIZING YOUR BODY by Ihor Magun, MD, FACP You may be lucky to live in a warm part of the world or have the luxury to escape to a warm climate when the cold weather arrives, but for most of the population, facing some form of the cold is inevitable. The dropping temperatures and blow- ing winds can wreak havoc on our body. Here are some winterizing tips to shield oneself against the elements and the ailments of winter in general. Dry Skin : During the winter months, our metabolism decreases slightly hindering our ability to generate new skin cells. Dead cells dry out skin giving it a dull look. The cold weather and indoor heating dry skin further and lead to its cracking and flaking. To help prevent these issues drink plenty of water to rehydrate dry skin. In addition, avoid hot baths or showers and the overuse of reg- ular soap. Invest in moisturizing soaps which may cost a bit more, but are well worth the purchase. Many professionals recommend use of coconut oil (found in the cooking aisle) as a facial moisturizer. Indeed, parched skin on the face and feet are two areas to which many people give special attention during the winter months. Treatment of the facial region begins with exfoliation in the morning twice a week (for removal of dead, dry cells) and the subsequent application of a good moisturizer containing SPF (sun protective factor). Use of ChapStick or equivalent balm on the lips is also helpful both in protecting the skin as well as moisturizing simultaneously. The use of a saline nasal spray to help hydrate the nose is safe and can be done daily to prevent dryness. When the skin on the feet becomes too dry to support the pressure on them, the foot expands causing dry skin to crack. These fissures pose not only aesthetic issues, but can lead to pain and in- fection. To prevent and combat these problems, invest in a good heavy moisturizing cream or oil. (Many are marketed especially for feet.) Make sure it is as greasy as it can be and apply it after bathing. One excellent, inexpensive option to cure foot dry- ness is to use petroleum jelly before retiring to bed. Apply liberally and slip on socks for an overnight treatment. You will be surprised at the good result. Frostbite : Frostbite is localized damage to the skin due to freezing. There are four degrees of frostbite. Most individuals develop only the first degree, which can be manifested as itching with white, red, and yellow patches that produce a numbing sensation. Frostbite can occur rapidly, with the first and most often affected body parts being the cheeks, chin, ears, fingers, nose, and toes. Treatment is obvious: get out of the cold and protect your body. If it is not possible to find a warm location, place hands into your arm pits and protect your face with dry, gloved hands. Never rub snow on frostbitten skin, and do not rewarm skin with direct heat, which can cause burns. Soak hands or feet in very warm — not hot —water for fifteen to thirty minutes. When your skin begins to turn red, a sensation of burning and tingling is felt with the warming. The redness and the burning sensation signify that normal blood flow is return- ing. Any signs of blisters require medical attention immediately. Head Warmth : It is helpful to retain heat by wearing a hat or at least earmuffs. Some recent research has questioned whether we lose as much heat through our head as we previously thought. Nonetheless, when the body is exposed to cold tem- peratures, the brain senses these changes and di- rects blood vessels in the skin to contract in an effort to preserve heat. For precisely this reason, hands and feet appear pale and become cool in cold set- tings. We lose heat from any part of the body that comes in contact with a cold environment. The head is exposed to the elements; thus, heat is lost. Get Vaccinated : Even though all current flu vaccines may not contain all the strains that may affect us, there still is protection that is pro- vided to the strains that may affect you. Update your pneumonia vaccine status as well, and check with your physician to determine what other vac- cinations may be right for you. Vitamin D : Since we have less sun expo- sure on average during the winter months and we are obviously still applying SPF because we know about this year-round need, adding 1000 interna- tional units of vitamin D daily is a good idea. If you are already supplementing with vitamin D, there is no need to increase the dose, unless instructed by your physician. Prevent Seasonal Depression : With the shorter daylight, maximize your light exposure. Open all blinds and lift all shades. Not only will it help you psychologically, but it can make you feel more energetic. Despite the many challenges of winter and all the above advice to avoid the cold, take time to enjoy all the wonderful winter treats that nature provides. Look at a snowflake and admire its beau- ty. Share time with your family outdoors building snowmen, making snow angels, or engaging in a good snowball fight. Marvel at the beauty of freshly fallen snow coating trees and buildings, and ad- mire the reflection of the sun on the glistening landscape. Who knows, you may surprise yourself by saying, “Winter is not so bad after all.”
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