Abstract

We've all heard that the elderly are vulnerable to cold weather, but do you know why? Almost all cold-related deaths are due to common illnesses which are increased by cold weather, such as blood clots and respiratory diseases. So, make sure you stay warm during the winter months. Wear layers, keep an extra blanket in your car, and bundle up at home too, especially when sedentary. In this case, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. If you do catch a cold, take care of it early. Believe it or not, the simplest treatment for a cold is an old one—inhaling steam for 30 minutes. This not only reduces the symptoms of a cold almost immediately, but moderates the entire course of the illness.