This must be one of the bitterest winters I have ever known! Either that or I’m getting awfully old, my body is already disagreeing with the weather. I must say that I won’t be a bit shocked if I find my sugar levels skyrocketing because of all those hot cocoas which effectively warmed my body—yep, and soul too. Not to mention those sad, sad trees which sacrificed themselves just to keep the fire at my feet burning nice.

We all know how hot weathers can affect an aging body and due to ever worsening climate change, it is bound to kill a senior or two however, we tend to downplay the health hazards which cold weathers can give us. Perhaps cold weathers are associated with holidays—an occasion which we seniors enjoy the most or it can also be that we feel mellow under such weather. Whatever the reasons are, you should know that cold weathers can also bring forth health issues best kept maintained.

•    Dehydration. This one is tricky, it is quite hard to feel thirsty if you are fighting to keep yourself warm. Add to that the possibility of not getting enough liquids into the body as they are not freely available (think frozen). Also take note that the air during winter is drier than in any other season hence the tendency for it to absorb your body’s moisture.
•    Heart attacks. When the body is under such weather, the arteries inside of it tend to tighten or constrict. If the arteries are clogged enough to begin with then the senior is in major risk of having an attack. Blood clots also happen during cold weathers.
•    Frostbite. Seniors are more prone to frostbites during winter since the older your body gets, the harder for it to generate heat naturally.
•    High blood pressure. A drop in temperature may cause your blood pressure to rise. When the body is in such stress, it activates your nervous system in such a way that it releases hormones which makes your heart beat faster hence the increase in blood pressure.
•    Asthma. For children and seniors both, cold weather can trigger an asthma attack since there is difficulty in breathing. Cold air is known to trigger asthma attacks by tightening the airways making it difficult to breath.
•    Depression and fatigue. Also called as winter blues, it may also be caused by lack of exercise during cold months.
•    Toxic gas poisoning or carbon monoxide poisoning. In an attempt to generate heat inside of home, you trap warm air from stoves thus trapping carbon monoxide as well.