We begin our Special Winter in the middle of the Siberian cold wave in Europe, wondering what are the effects of cold on children's health. And it is that low temperatures affect the health of people in various ways, especially when it is intense.
Along with diseases directly linked to cold, such as hypothermia or frostbite, which can lead to extreme death even in cases, there are other more common conditions that are difficult to escape each winter, especially if we talk about young children.
And, among the population groups most vulnerable to extreme cold are the elderly, people with chronic diseases, malnourished ... and newborns and infants, since its neurovascular response system is not yet as developed as that of a child or an adult to regulate its temperature and fight the cold.
Also because the little ones do not have enough spontaneous physical activity to get warm and cannot clearly warn that they are cold. The fact that they cry insistently and discard hunger and sleep, we must verify that they are not cold.
The chest is usually the right place to check that they are hot, but we must ensure that hands and feet, or the face, are also. We remind you at this point the tips to protect children from the cold wave.
More frequent diseases with cold
We will talk carefully about why the cold increases the incidence of certain diseases, but we anticipate that low temperatures decrease defenses and produce changes in the body that favor the appearance of diseases such as influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia.
In this way, also the respiratory problems suffered by some people get worse and there is an increase in cough, choking sensation and mucus production. Ear and throat pain, pharyngitis, are also more common in winter.
The cold can also aggravate some chronic diseases, especially respiratory, rheumatic and heart disease. Those with heart problems notice more tiredness until symptoms of exhaustion, even in small efforts.
If we take into account factors external to the body itself, the cold increases the risk of fire and poisoning by carbon monoxide if gas stoves and braziers are used. Therefore, these heating means must be avoided, and in any case keep children away from any source of heat, which must be adequately protected.
The low temperatures also facilitate traffic accidents or falls due to the ice formed, so you must exercise caution both on the road and on public roads, not forgetting the appropriate child restraint systems or complying with road regulations.
If we have to travel by car, it is advisable to find out the state of the roads and follow the advice of the General Directorate of Traffic.
In summary, intense cold can affect health in various ways:
- Causing diseases directly linked to cold, such as frostbite and hypothermia symptoms.
- Promoting the appearance of diseases such as influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia and aggravating chronic diseases, especially cardiac and respiratory and also rheumatic.
- Facilitating accidents: traffic and falls due to the ice formed.
- Increasing the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning from gas stoves, braziers ...
Mortality during the cold months
Fortunately, when we talk about the majority of the effects of cold on people's health, we don't have to talk about deaths, but these also occur due to the low temperatures as we have said before.
The increase in mortality during the winter months It is a known phenomenon that has been studied in different countries. The highest mortality at this time of the year has its origin, in addition to the cold itself (homeless people are usually victims of freezing), in causes of infectious origin and other behavioral factors. In Europe, it is estimated that winter mortality is 16% higher than the rest of the year.
The maximum increase is recorded in the Iberian Peninsula, being 28% in Portugal and 21% in Spain. The greatest increase in mortality in countries with warmer climates is attributed to the lower physiological acclimatization, less adaptation of habits and the available air conditioning.
And although Spain is not a place with too much risk of cold, there are very cold interior or mountain areas, and in meteorological situations of Siberian waves such as the current one, the cold reaches practically every corner and frosts generalize.
Many also read us from other countries where low temperatures are more frequent, even in other latitudes with icy summers, so we will soon return with Recommendations that may be useful to cope with the effects of cold, we are in the part of the world that we are.
