Winter health - webchat with Dr Rosemary Leonard (Mon 17 Nov)

I haven't because I was worried I would look like John McEnroe. Good idea though. But very interested to know if it can make your ears ill (if you know what I mean) anyway!

You probably differ from John McEnroe in several important details, so I don't think you would be mistaken for him.

cathymcd I always lived in fear of vomiting bugs when my children were younger, I hate being sick and I hate having to look after others being sick.

As I understand it, and what I think mostly kept such things away, is endless hygiene. Be very careful about what you touch when out and about (wear gloves most of the time if you can, think of all those hands which touched the handrails etc before you!) and try not to touch your face with your fingers.

Then when you get home, wash your hands immediately and thoroughly with a bacteria-killing soap. If you're looking after children, get them into the habit of doing the same.

In the winter, I do more of cleaning kitchen counters with bleach spray or similar and I wipe door handles and make sure the toilet is kept extra clean. If someone in the family gets a vomiting bug, it's hard to stop it spreading, but I used to try to isolate that person, to get them to vomit into a basin that you can clean with bleach and to use a facecloth and towel for just that person while they were ill. I kept their clothes and the bedclothes, if changed, separate and washed them on a very hot wash.

My worst ever experience, just for the record, was one occasion being on my own for the weekend in the country with 10 month old twins and a 7 year old - as soon as I arrived at the house one of the twins began to vomit, later that day the other started. I got sick and I had to look after them whilst being sick and also the 7 year old who didn't succumb (wonderful immune system). When my husband appeared on the Monday, I had earned masses of Brownie points. I remember vividly sleeping on the floor on spread out sheets in front of the living room fire with both twins while we were all sick together!! I took home two black bags full of vomited-on clothes and cloths that had been used to mop up. What a weekend, one not to forget in a hurry!

I have quite dry skin and in the winter it gets so much worse - central heating to blame I presume. What do you recommend that doesn't cost a fortune?

Hello Dr Rosemary

I find that I always put on weight during the winter months. I get that I am less likely to be out and about when the weather is bad and that "traditional" winter food is higher in calories than salads etc but would welcome some suggestions for keeping the extra pounds off this year.

Also - can I ask a question about BMI? Is it true that it's less important that we are constantly told? I was told this by a GP who told me not to lose any more weight when I dieted last year. I had lost two stone and was a size 12 and quite fit and things - but technically my BMI was very slightly over and so this surprised me.

Read the earlier posts. Can I admit that even though I am a grandma I am still not sure about how much truth there is in old wives tales? The thing is I was brought up on them and they are so engrained that I no longer know quite what to believe.

So please can you tell me is going out with wet hair more likely to make me catch a cold? Will I get piles from sitting on a raditator (I can't imagine the answer is yes but at school they drummed this into us so thoroughly I can't let go)

There are probably more but I can't remember them - I will probably remember as soon as you have gone

How do you stop a cough turning into a chest infection?

Disagreement with my husband about what is best to take for a bad cold. I say paracetamol. He says ibuprofen. Who is right?

When I was young we were always encouraged to "sweat things out". Is this still advised? Since having my grandsons I have read so many things about stopping young children from overheating that it has made me wonder if it's advisable or not.

HI Dr Rosemary,

I'm on 200mg of thyroxine and still find I'm tired with terrible memory and slow cognitive function. I'm also always cold. I absolutely dread winter (and have since I became hypothyroid) because I know I'll suffer from the cold all the way through. Is there anything you can suggest? I feel like I'll never feel normal again because of this disease!

Hello everyone,

It's great to be here! I am looking forward to answering all of your questions. Thank you for having me!

Dr Rosemary

Agus

Would you recommend Flu/Pneumonia inoculations for someone diagnosed with COPD?

Someone who has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) means you have permanent damage to your lungs. It's mainly caused by smoking but in the past was also caused by exposure to coal dust. Historically it has been common in men, but now we are diagnosing an increasing number of cases in women who have smoked.

The main symptoms are a persistant cough and breathlessness. The lung damage means that any infection can be very severe and difficult to clear. And as always, prevention is best.This means I absolutely recommend anyone with COPD to have both the flu jab every year and the pneumonia jab once every two years. They are available free from your GP. (and they can't give you either flu or pneumonia!).

kittylester

Didn't work for me or DH Ana.

I wonder whether one gets better from a cold more quickly by sitting down and resting or continuing as before. [Please say that it is better to sit down and watch rubbish daytime TV!]

I like this question! It is true that sometimes it's good to be a couch potato! Doing a lot of exercise adds stress to the immune system, and resting is actually a good way to help your recovery from any illness.

Having said that, once you are feeling better you do need to get active again.

Marmight

Lovely photos Jings!
Rosemary, it's good to hear that you are 'still a practicing doctor' - that is reassuring!
I bought a bottle of zinc tablets today as I heard that if you take them within a day of developing cold symptoms, the duration of the cold/cough should be shortened or at least alleviates the symptoms. Is this true? If so, why? I hope it is not just a case of the pharmaceutical companies jumping on the bandwagon and making a quick buck? Not got symptoms - yet. No doubt it will sit on the shelf with the unopened B12, echinacea, rose hip and multi-vitamin capsules. Better to 'Be Prepared' than caught on the hop!

We need zinc for a strong immune system and there is some evidence that taking zinc can help to shorten a cold very slightly. However, the effect of this is less if your zinc levels are already good. You can get a blood test to test your levels of zinc from your GP. The best natural source of zinc is oysters! There are cheaper options such as baked beans, cashews and chickpeas.

Does your TV fame mean that everywhere you go people ask you about their health? Does it drive you mad?!

Grannyknot

jings 're getting chilled bringing resistance down - I believe the opposite: a bracing plunge into cold water is good for the system and builds resistance. So which is true please, doctor?

Nannienoo also asks further down about going out with wet hair and whether it makes you more likely to catch a cold. You get colds and the flu from other people. This means that you are much more likely to catch one going out doing your Christmas shopping in a crowded supermarket or department store than going for a brisk walk on the hills on a cold winter's day.

Some research has been done about going out in cold weather and if your head is thoroughly cold (for instance if you have wet hair) then the blood supply to your nose is slightly reduced and this can mean a reduced a supply of the important white blood cells that are needed to fight infection. So if you are brewing a cold, or have a cold, I would advise you not to plunge yourself into cold water or go out with wet hair.

The best way to stop yourself getting a cold is to keep your hands away from your face!

Culag

I rarely get colds but I do have frequent bouts of blocked sinuses. I can breathe alright but have pressure in my face and behind my eyes and a headache. Often with shooting pains behind my right eye. It usually lasts two or three days and then drains away. I don't think it gets infected, just blocked.

Can you suggest anything please. I usually take paracetamol but can't take NSAIDs.

Some people do seem more prone to sinusitis and this probably indicates that the drainage passages from the sinus to the nose are less effective than normal. The best way of keeping your sinuses clear when you have a cold, is good old fashioned inhalations.

My father had a hideous basin which he used for his friars balsam, which is a thick brown liquid which he put in hot water. He then would sit at the kitchen table with his head over the basin, covered in a tea towel breathing in the steam.

I think a better alternative is menthol and eucalyptus oil used in the same way. But do be prepared for your mascara to run down your face. During the day taking decongestant tablets can help, such as Sudafed, but these are not suitable for people with high blood pressure. Its ingredients are similar to adrenalin and can stop you sleeping. So don't take after 4pm!

how imortant is what you eat in terms of staying healthy? I don't mean junk food v non junk food - I mean specific foods offering specific benefits. At the moment i put kale in everything and try to include lots of spinach and quinoa in my diet. i'm vegetarian, so i do sometimes worry about getting enough iron as well

jinglbellsfrocks

Many people experience SAD during the winter months and, of course, antidepressants are often prescribed for this. I have recently heard that all antidepressants are cardio-toxic to some degree. I find this very scary as I have been taking fluoxetine for several years now. Should I stop please?

Thank you.

Anti-depressants are generally extremely safe. The main ones that are prescribed are SSRIs, and in a large overdose there can be heart side-effects. However, in normal dosages, the commonly used ones such as fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline are not cardio-toxic. They can make life much more bearable for a lot of people in the winter months, but obviously every individual needs to discuss their own situation with their GP.

cathymcd

From this time of year until spring I live in dread of norovirus aka winter vomiting bug

I would like to know

- best ways to protect yourself from getting it
- best ways to get over it if you do get it
- best ways to stop it spreading throughout the household
- best way to clean up vomit safely

Thank you!

Norovirus is the 'winter vomiting virus' which can cause sudden onset of persistent vomiting and diarrhoea. It's truly horrible and you feel absolutely dreadful but most people do get over it in 24-48 hours. The best way to protect yourself is to have scrupulous hand hygiene, washing your hands- especially before cooking and also keeping your hands away from your face. Chewing your cuticles after you have been using a shared computer at work, is an excellent way of giving yourself norovirus. Cleaning shared keyboards with alcohol wipes. Likewise if an infected grandchild has been playing on your iPad!

Both vomit and diarrhoea from an affected person is full of the virus so it does need to be cleaned up safely, wearing rubber gloves and then disinfecting the area afterwards.

rlak

I have quite dry skin and in the winter it gets so much worse - central heating to blame I presume. What do you recommend that doesn't cost a fortune?

Many people find that their skin becomes much more dry during the winter due to a combination of cold wind outside and central heating inside. In my opinion there is never any need to pay a fortune for skin creams unless it makes you feel good! I always recommend cheap basic brands that are suitable for sensitive skin. I personally use the Olay range, I slap on loads in the morning and evening. If I am not wearing makeup at the weekends, I put more on in the middle of the day!

Thank you for your reply.

homeandaway

Hello Dr Rosemary

I find that I always put on weight during the winter months. I get that I am less likely to be out and about when the weather is bad and that "traditional" winter food is higher in calories than salads etc but would welcome some suggestions for keeping the extra pounds off this year.

Also - can I ask a question about BMI? Is it true that it's less important that we are constantly told? I was told this by a GP who told me not to lose any more weight when I dieted last year. I had lost two stone and was a size 12 and quite fit and things - but technically my BMI was very slightly over and so this surprised me.

Many people find they put on weight in the winter months simply because they are less active- it's much harder to go out for a brisk walk if it's cold and rainy. And only the brave play tennis in the UK in the winter!

It's also true that traditional winter food tends to be higher in calories than salads. However there are ways around this- last night we had venison casserole, but it contained more vegetables than meat and I served it with broccoli and green beans and no potatoes. The main things to avoid are puddings and cheese!

Exercise really does make a huge difference to weight control when you get older. So it's important to try and make sure you do something that makes you puffed for at least 20 minutes every day. This could be just walking faster to the next bus stop and not using the car when you nip out to the shops to get some milk.

Regarding BMI (body mass index), this is a measurement based on height and weight. However I reckon a better measurement of health risk is your waist size and for women, it should be less than 31.5 inches measured around your tummy button. This can be particularly tough to keep it below this after the menopause, as lack of oestrogen, means you are more likely to gain weight in the abdominal area. Not only that, but your metabolism falls as you get older, making weight control even more difficult. So yet again, exercise is all-important.

mrsp

Disagreement with my husband about what is best to take for a bad cold. I say paracetamol. He says ibuprofen. Who is right?

There is no best treatment, both paracetamol and ibuprofen are excellent painkillers and can help reduce a fever but what works well for one person won't necessarily work well for another. Generally, ibuprofen has more side-effects and is not suitable for people who have problems with indigestion. It's also not a good idea for older people to take ibuprofen on a regular basis as it can cause fluid retention and make heart problems worse.

hi Rosemary. I have a question about vitamins and how effective they are. Are tbere any really important ones that you recommend i take over others? or is it better to just take a simple multivitamin? or none at all!!