With forecasts that the cold weather will continue, NHS Barking and Dagenham offers advice on keeping warm and well this Winter.
Cold weather can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. Every winter in the UK, between 25,000 and 30,000 deaths are linked to cold weather.
Our advice for local people to help them keep warm and well during the cold weather:
- Keep your home warm. Keep the main rooms you use during the day at a minimum of 21°C (70°F) and your bedroom at a minimum of 18°C (65°F) at night when you're asleep. You can also use a hot water bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm while you're in bed.
- Wrap up warm, inside and out. Several thin layers of clothes are better than one thick layer. Don't forget to wear hats, gloves and scarves. If possible, stay inside during a cold period if you have heart or respiratory problems.
- Keep active. Move around at least once an hour and don't sit down for long periods of time. Even light exercise will help keep you warm.
- Look out for elderly friends and neighbours. Check they're safe and well through the winter. Make sure they're warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and medicines so they don't need to go out during very cold weather.
- There is also an increased risk of injury from falls during a cold snap so be extra careful when walking outside.
During a cold snap, more people tend to go to local hospitals to ask for treatment. Please don't go to Accident and Emergency unless your illness or injury is critical or life-threatening.
People should always consider whether their injury or illness can be treated at home, with the help of a pharmacist, at a GP surgery or walk-in centre before going to A&E.
Many of the illnesses commonly experienced during cold weather, like coughs, colds or a sore throat, can be treated with over-the-counter medicines. Often a pharmacist can advise you on appropriate treatment.
Hospitals are at their busiest over winter. Staff have to give patients with critical or life threatening illnesses priority. So if you turn up at A&E with a minor problem, you may have to wait a long time for treatment. If you have a minor injury or illness it is quicker and more appropriate to go to a pharmacist, GP or walk-in centre for help. You can also get advice online from www.nhs.uk/NHSDirect/Pages/Symptoms.aspx