Colds in autumn

Autumn has just arrived and we are already feeling the cooler days, especially in the morning and evening, and the sudden drop in temperatures this year has caught many of us by surprise. With a big variation between temperatures during the day and at night, it is difficult to choose clothes to be prepared for both the coolness of the morning and evening and the heat during the day. It is therefore quite easy to catch a cold or other seasonal illness.  

Why do temperature changes affect our health?
Temperature changes make our body more vulnerable to infections, as it has to adapt to this climate change that often occurs from one day to the other and we are not prepared for it. 
This situation affects our immune system, especially the respiratory system. Considering that there are more and more viruses, it is extremely important to take precautions, as these viruses appear more frequently when exposed to a colder environment.
Apart from viruses and infections, temperature changes bring along other health problems. By having temperature regulators in the skin, nasal cavities, tongue and other parts of the body, our organism notices this sudden change in temperature and narrows the arteries and veins, producing vasoconstriction. This vasoconstriction generates a greater tendency, for example, to have angina, heart attacks and trombs, among other cardiovascular problems.
In addition, with changes in temperature, joint problems increase greatly and there is a greater tendency to fatigue, less ability to concentrate and more irritability. The decrease in daylight hours also affects our mental health, and seasonal depressions are more common. 

How to prevent infections?
     Wash your hands. Good hand hygiene prevents respiratory and stomach viruses.
     Ventilate spaces. Catching a cold in closed places without ventilation such as offices, homes or public transport is very common. That is why it is recommended to ventilate daily, especially at the beginning of the           day, opening windows and doors to form an air current.
     Watch your diet. It is recommended to avoid the consumption of saturated fats, for example, fried foods and increase the intake of proteins, such as white meats and fish. Nuts, olive oil and cereals are also                      beneficial. Raw fruits and vegetables containing vitamins A, B, C and E strengthen the defenses and therefore help fight infections.
     Do exercise. It is advisable to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day, as it helps to strengthen defenses and maintain a good physical condition.
     Drink plenty of water. By being well hydrated, the body is more resistant and generates more defenses.
     Wear several layers of clothing. This way, you will be warm enough for the cool hours of the morning and evening, but you will not be hot during the day. 
     Avoid air conditioning. Abruptly going from heat to intense cold increases the chances of catching a cold, in addition to lowering our defenses.

At TRESS we hope that you are well prepared for the temperature changes and that you watch your health!