Assosalute, the national association of self-medication drugs that is part of Federchimica, in view of the arrival of the first cold season, has developed a series of tips to avoid sore throats and colds. “This is one of the most delicate moments for our health. If the real flu has its peaks after a prolonged cold period, then, indicatively from the end of December, this first lowering of temperatures and the jumps between hot and cold favor the spread of parainfluenza viruses,

capable of attacking our respiratory system, resulting in colds, sore throats and gastrointestinal symptoms “, says Fabrizio Pregliasco, virologist and researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health University of Milan and IRCCS health director Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute.

real flu is in line with the forecasts that around 6 million Italians will be affected by the flu and 8 million will be infected by parainfluenza viruses”, adds Pregliasco. It is good, therefore, to adopt some common sense devices.

“A simple and valid advice for avoiding sore throats and colds is certainly that of always protecting the throat and nose when outside, especially in the event of temperature changes, and in hot-humid and crowded places, such as shops, clubs and public transportation, remember to wash your hands frequently and dress in onion, to adapt quickly to sudden changes in temperature “, continues Pregliasco.

Winter is the time of year when we love to stay at home, the season in which we reduce physical activity and good habits, especially those related to our heart.

Professor Claudio Ferri, former President of the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA), gives us some practical and useful advice to be treasured, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease even in this period:

1. Prevention begins with nutrition, which must be as healthy and balanced as possible. “Since we tend to eat more at Christmas, before the holidays we learn to consume a lot of vegetables, fruit (also like nuts and almonds), lots of fish, whole grains and very little cooking salt (less than half a teaspoon of coffee, satin, all day long, without ever adding it to the table). Red meat, sugars and sweets, always eat them very sparingly, even on holidays ”.

2. Physical activity remains a perennial ally. “Even in this period, let’s take at least 45 minutes of brisk walking, help the heart and feel good about yourself. We also avoid taking the elevator preferring the stairs ”
3. Beyond physical health, we must also “pamper” the mental one. “We take advantage of the holidays: we reduce stress by dedicating ourselves to simple and stimulating activities such as reading, visiting a museum, writing or listening to music. Television: let’s turn it off as often as possible ”.

4. We learn to listen to our body and to cover ourselves well. “Let’s always dress in layers, covering well and especially protecting the ends of the body, such as the head, feet and hands. Beware of cold drafts, therefore, especially if you have cardiovascular problems ”.

5. Keep your health under control, especially if you change altitude. “Before a vacation, make sure you have measured your blood pressure and have packed all the medications we need. The device for measuring pretoria and glycaemia, if we are diabetic: let’s take them with us ”.