Seeking warmth in electric devices? Drink lots of water, advise doctors

With the mercury dipping with each passing day, doctors across the city advise the residents to keep themselves warm enough, especially the elderly and children who are at a greater risk of developing pulmonary problems, hypothermia besides frozen feet etc.

As the nights get colder, doctors have a word of caution, especially for the elderly and the children - keep warm and stay hydrated. Even if you do not feel thirsty make sure you drink at least 7-8 glasses of water.

"Mostly we are sitting with heaters and blowers on in the room which makes the conditions dry and it is very important to keep oneself hydrated in these cold and dry weather conditions," said a doctor from GMSH-16.

If you cannot have normal water, drink lukewarm water, added the doctor. Doctors also advise the residents of the city to keep themselves properly covered and protected while venturing out.

In fact, there is a sudden spurt in cases of upper and lower respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis and asthma.

"We have a lot of patients coming with respiratory infections. This is attributed to a change in weather. Bronchitis is seen in the elderly and asthma is common in children. Both conditions are seen at this time of the season," said a senior doctor at PGIMER.

In bronchiolotis, patients show symptoms with or without high grade fever, cough with sputum and blocked nose.

"It is a viral infection and children are prone to this. The lung's airways get congested due to inflammation. But it is self-limiting and takes a week to go," said a pediatrician at a private clinic.

Another respiratory infection commonly seen these days is one called croup. "The synptoms include a barking sound like coughing in children. It is an infectious illness of the respiratory system involving the vocal cords, the windpipe and the upper airways of the lungs. The viral infection is more common in children between 6 months to 3 years in age," said the doctor.

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