How to prevent Common Cold: the disease is usually caused by viruses. Frequent hand washing, covering of nose while sneezing/coughing, plenty fruits and vegetable in diet are helpful in preventing the spread of this condition. Garlic (either raw, cooked or pharmaceutically processed type which has minimal odour) is effective in both treatment and prevention of Common Cold. Maintaining optimal body temperature and avoiding damp housing are beneficial. Stress and lack of exercise are known to generally reduce immunity, so tackling these can be helpful. Air conditioners can harbour organisms that can cause common cold like symptoms, and a such they need to be properly and regularly maintained.

Variation in temperature and health

Dr. Muktar A. Gadanya, MFR

Seasons come and go, and so do they have effect on our health. In a few days from now, we will be bidding the cold season farewell, and switch to the hot and eventually rainy season. We are annually subjected to changes in temperature that if not managed well, can have a heavy toll on our health.

Many Nigerian cities have been witnessing unstable temperatures between very high (day time) to very low (early morning times) in the last few days, with often very low level of humidity. Though the cooler nights are a relief from the usual scorching tropical heat, the low temperatures can poster the spread of viruses in the environment leading to a host of respiratory diseases.

During the biting Harmattan cold many people suffer from sore throat, coughing, running nose and fever. Patients with long standing diseases such as asthma and bronchitis are particularly at risk, and can have serious attacks that can lead to hospitalization. Significant variations in day and night temperatures puzzle our body and increase physiological stress. The body is unable to control fluid intake resulting is dehydration, muscle cramps, fatigue, etc. Decreased fluid intake can cause toxins to accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious ill-health. The stress also has an effect on the body’s metabolism. It causes significant fluctuations in blood pressure and  blood sugar levels. Body immunity is also decreased under these conditions making us more vulnerable to infections.

How can you protect yourself from these changes? The following are some of the recommended steps:

• Keep your house clean, and use vacuum cleaner in addition to regular sweeping
• Avoid dust and air pollution and avoid crowded places when possible.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Use hand sanitizers in public places where soap and water may not be readily available.
• Keep yourself hydrated. Avoid excessively cold water.
• Watch your diet. Eating right during lunch and dinner is significant to help the body deal with temperature fluctuations and counterattack infection. Have warm foods during the night and fresh low temperature foods during midday. Avoid excessive tea and coffee during the day as they can lead to dehydration. Have lots of buttermilk, fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C found in oranges helps build immunity against common cold and cough. So are garlic, avocado and turmeric, among others.

These fluctuations also happen when the rain starts, and when we again switch back to the cold season from the hot season. So we should all be on the watch out for these periods, and take appropriate actions.

The Harmattan season is associated with heightened risk of fire disaster and burns. This is more especially common in children, epileptics and the elderly. Every care should be taken to ensure room warming practices pose no risk of fire outbreaks, and boiling waters pose no risk of scald.

I wrote this today for the Carnegie Council in honour of Dr. Halfdan Mahler, former WHO Director General, who led the successful fight against smallpox, and convened the 1978 Alma Ata conference. Dr Mahler died 17 days ago at the age of 93 years:

http://www.globalethicsnetwork.org/profiles/blogs/nationalism-version-2-0-is-congruent-with-globalization?xg_source=msg_appr_blogpost

Humidity drops to as low as 15% during Harmattan; and this is responsible for some of the medical ailments associated with the season.

Sleeping mattress should be very hard and non-sagging, to prevent musculo-skelatal pains and degeneration. While sitting on a chair, one should not slop, but sit upright, with straight back. All these measures help to protect the spinal cord

Containers for many locally made drinks are sourced un-hygienically. Producers need to ensure safety, while consumers need to ensure hygienic sources