Ways to maintain and protect your health during the cold, winter months

Ways to maintain and protect your health during the cold, winter months
DECATUR— The cold, winter months can pose a risk to our physical health – including our
immune system, heart, balance, skin, body temperature and more.
As cold weather, snow and ice become part of our everyday normal in the Midwest, HSHS St.
Mary’s Hospital offers the following information and guidance to help you protect and maintain
your health this time of year.
“Winter weather and the extreme low temps that it brings can constrict your blood vessels and if
you already suffer from certain conditions this could make that condition worse,” said Dr. Vinil
Bhuma, chief medical officer at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. “Your immune system, heart, skin
and potentially your musculoskeletal system are all at risk as we approach winter.”
• Immune system – During winter months, people spend more time inside and in close
contact with each other, such as in stores, malls, and restaurants. This means that flu,
colds, and other respiratory illnesses are more easily spread.
o What you can do: Stay up to date on all of your vaccinations including flu and
COVID-19, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer,
stay home if you’re sick, and cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not
your hands.
• Heart – Cold weather acts as a vasoconstrictor, which means it narrows blood vessels.
This raises the risk of heart attack.
o What you can do: Dress warmly when going out, with a hat, gloves and a warm
coat. If you already suffer from heart issues, limit strenuous activity outdoors that
may stress your heart, such as shoveling snow.
• Balance – Icy sidewalks can make falling easier, putting you at risk for fractures.
o What you can do: Avoid slippery surfaces if possible. Wear shoes or boots with
heavily textured soles that can grip surfaces. Use handrails, even if you feel you
don’t need one. You can even “walk like a penguin.” Bend slightly forward and
walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet as much as
possible.
• Skin – Dry, winter air can deplete moisture from your skin.
o What you can do: Use a moisturizer with an oil base to block evaporation. Shower
in lukewarm—not hot—water. Use a humidifier to replenish moisture to the skin’s
top layer.
• Body temperature – Older adults are at risk for hypothermia, in which the body’s
internal temperature falls too low. Even prolonged exposure to mild cold can cause it.
o What you can do: Bundle up if you’re going outside and be aware of signs that
your body isn’t handling the cold well, such as stiffness in the neck, arms and
legs. Call 911 if you suspect you or someone you know is suffering from
hypothermia.
Additional cold weather safety tips can be found at cdc.gov/disasters/winter.
For more information about HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, visit stmarysdecatur.com.
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About HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital
Founded in 1878 by three Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is a 230-bed, all private room
health care facility that combines modern technology with the caring spirit of the original founders. St. Mary’s is
situated on an attractive 21-acre campus overlooking Lake Decatur and offers a broad spectrum of comprehensive
health services, including the latest diagnostic equipment, interventional cardiology, surgical and medical
intervention, emergency medical care, outpatient radiation therapy, pain management and a sleep center. St. Mary’s
also offers a wide range of community education and wellness programs. The hospital also has both a unique
intergenerational day services program and the community’s only provider of hospital-based behavioral health
services for all ages. Learn more by visiting www.stmarysdecatur.com.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people
through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients
and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local
hospitals in two states – Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon,
Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan and two in
Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding
institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St.
Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.