Prolonged cold, many elderly people and children sick

The cold weather that has lasted for many days has forced the elderly and children to be hospitalized due to illness. Patients with respiratory diseases (especially sinusitis) are equally miserable.

Patients with severe blood pressure complications

It has been nearly ten days since the cold spell began. Temperatures in the plains have often dropped below 8-9 degrees Celsius, significantly affecting the health of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

Doctor Nguyen Quang Tuan, Director of Hanoi Heart Hospital, said that on normal warm weather days, the number of patients coming for examination due to high blood pressure is on average about 15-18 people/day.

Children are susceptible to respiratory diseases in cold weather (Photo: CQ)

However, in recent days, the weather has become cold and cold for a long time, low temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, increase peripheral resistance, and cause blood pressure to skyrocket. The number of patients coming for examination and treatment has increased to 24-28 people/day, mainly patients with severe complications of high blood pressure.

This situation also occurs in many other hospitals, cardiology and geriatric departments. Professor Pham Gia Khai, President of the Vietnam Cardiovascular Association, said that in recent days, the number of patients with cerebrovascular accidents and high blood pressure has increased rapidly in hospitals due to sudden, strong constriction of blood vessels.

Professor Khai recommends that the elderly should avoid exercising early in the morning and late in the evening, and should adjust their exercise regimen appropriately when the weather is warm. In addition, when waking up, do not get up suddenly, but sit up slowly, and do not walk too quickly. If there is a problem with high blood pressure or stroke, it is necessary to know how to handle it initially before taking the patient to the hospital, such as: Let the patient lie in a well-ventilated area, face turned to one side (remove dentures, if worn).

If the patient is conscious, help the patient take deep, long breaths and take them to the nearest specialized hospital for timely emergency care.

In addition to cardiovascular and blood pressure diseases, the elderly in this cold season also have many other diseases such as bone and joint diseases, etc. Need to have a complete diet and nutrition to increase resistance.

Children fall ill

Children are also vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather. Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, head of the Department of Pediatrics at Bach Mai Hospital, said that in recent cold days, the number of children hospitalized for respiratory infections and pneumonia has increased.

On average, the department receives about 70-75 cases a day, but during the cold season, the department receives 90-95 patients. In addition to the cold, another cause is the circulating virus, which is also a risk factor for children.

According to Dr. Dung, pneumonia and respiratory tract infections in children (especially newborns) are often difficult to detect because the signs are not as obvious as in adults. Common signs of pneumonia in this group of newborns are refusal to breastfeed, lethargy, abnormal breathing or chest, etc. Children should be taken to the doctor for timely treatment and management.

The elderly need to be vigilant about blood pressure, cardiovascular and bone and joint diseases during cold days (Photo: CQ)

Dr. Dung also recommends that parents keep their children warm (but not too hot or tight clothes that make them uncomfortable). In addition, they need to have a nutritious diet to improve their resistance. Limit children from going outside in cold weather. If they do go out, they need to wear warm clothes and a mask to protect their respiratory tract.

Meanwhile, the low temperature also “attacks” many healthy people through the respiratory tract. Patients with respiratory diseases (especially sinusitis) are increasing sharply. At the Central Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital and some ear, nose and throat clinics in Hanoi, in the past 5-7 days, many patients with problems with sinusitis, sore throat, cough, etc. have come to the clinic, many of whom are in serious condition due to self-treatment at home but not cured.

According to vietnamnet