Page 40 - Real Rochdale - Winter 2018
P. 40
ABOUT THE
WRITER
Dr Chauhan is a
respected GP, health
and social care
campaigner, and
champion of social
justice and charity.
As a local GP, he
has become a
powerful advocate
for his patients and
introduced innovative
methods to improve
their care. His work
mentoring and
employing young
people has won
national recognition.
Give the cold shoulder to poor health this winter
From cold sores to painful arthritis and those Keeping warm helps look after your heart. Cardiac
annual afflictions, cold, flu, and stomach bugs. arrests are more prevalent during winter because
Winter casts an unhealthy spell, but we can take cold weather raises blood pressure making the
steps to ensure it is a more bearable season and heart work harder. Wrapping up warm and taking
make it similarly so for others. a brisk walk will also help stir good physical and
mental health.
The sniffles seem an inevitable part of life once the
nights darken and the temperature drops. As the Speaking of the latter, the issue that concerns me
old adage goes, ‘coughs and sneezes spread most during winter is isolation. Half of the people
diseases’, and by washing our hands, capturing a aged over 75 in this country live alone and research
sneeze in a tissue and binning it, and keeping door shows that feeling lonely increases the risk of early
handles, towels and other household items clean, death by a third. So my plea this winter is that you
we can at least minimise its impact. look in now and again on vulnerable neighbours,
check their health and make sure their house is
The symptoms of flu often mimic those of a cold, heated to 21 degrees centigrade (70 fahrenheit).
but they are very different in severity and outcome.
Flu can be a killer, especially dangerous to those It is an absolute travesty that people perish in this
who already have long-term health problems. country due to fuel poverty or indeed malnutrition.
Flu will be categorised by muscle pain, fever and As the founder of a homeless-friendly programme,
headaches. The best defence against it is the flu jab, I am acutely aware that people die on our streets
available free from the NHS for those who have of hypothermia; so again, I say spend a moment to
life-limiting conditions like COPD. check and seek help if you are worried about
someone’s health.
Stomach bugs, and in particular norovirus, can be
virulent beasts during winter. Though unpleasant, Look after yourself this winter time, but also care
the winter vomiting bug is at least mercifully short for others. If we all did so, we could make society a
lasting just a few days, and you can aid your own much warmer and healthier place this winter.
quick recovery by staying rested and hydrated.
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2018 40 41 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2018
