Tips For Safe Orthopedic Treatment In Winter
Winter is already knocking on our doors and the season of icy winds has arrived! However, a drop in temperatures often makes bone-related problems worse. While these complications are worse in the elderly, people of all ages need to be a little more careful about their bone health during the winter.
Most orthopedic surgeons suggest specialized care for their patients during the winter. Some of Gurgaon’s best orthopedic doctors practice at Ushta Medicare and have started spending more time giving more advice to their patients, helping them keep their bones healthy in winter.
If you can’t wait to enjoy the season and keep your bone health intact, here are some important tips for healthy winter orthotic care:
Don’t Stay Still For Too Long
During the winter, mobility is key to maintaining bone health. Don’t keep your body still for too long. People often feel extremely sluggish during the winter and tend to spend a lot of time curled up in their blankets. However, low-impact activity affects the joints and makes them susceptible to various complications.
Even if you are not willing to leave the house, it is advisable to maintain the mobility of the extremities by walking around the room, using the treadmill or dedicating yourself a little more to daily tasks.
Maintain A Healthy Body Weight
Sweets taste better during the winter! However, the pain from joint surgery is just as painful. Prevent your body from gaining weight during the winter. Maintain a healthy body weight based on your BMI throughout the season to keep your bones healthy. The extra weight puts extra pressure on the bones.
Especially if you are over 40, it is very important to control unhealthy winter weight gain. As winter approaches, dietitians around the world have started raising awareness by seeking health marketing services to maintain a healthy weight.
Keep Your Hands and Feet Covered
Especially if you go outside when it’s cold, be sure to keep your hands and feet covered. Keeping them warm and cozy spares their bones from bearing the brunt of the season. Even if your bones are a bit weak or recovering from an injury, they start to ache when exposed to a cold environment.
It is recommended to leave the house with gloves and socks. If you’re driving, you can keep a pair of gloves in the car. Warm clothing acts as a good insulator and helps keep bones healthy.
Keep Calm and Composure
If you already suffer from bone or muscle problems, it is important to keep your senses calm during the winter. You must have noticed that people (especially the elderly) complain that joint pain worsens during winter. This is because stress contracts the muscles and stiffens the bones.
This involuntary response leaves bones vulnerable and makes existing problems worse. Many people prefer to apply muscle pain ointments or creams for a calming effect. You can also take a warm bath to keep yourself calm and collected during winter.
Feel Free To Drink More Water
Contrary to popular belief, drinking plenty of water is equally important during summers and winters. Dry air often makes you feel dehydrated too quickly. Stay dehydrated by drinking room temperature water or making yourself a cup of hot tea.
The amount of water you drink affects how well your bones work. Water carries calcium and other healthy nutrients to your bones, keeping them healthy. In a season when your bones are already more susceptible to problems, it is advisable to prevent your body from becoming dehydrated.
Keep Your Diet Healthy and Balanced
Winter is a season when you can have many unhealthy cravings and experience multiple temptations. However, if you want to keep your bones healthy, it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Include a variety of foods like green leafy vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains in your diet to ensure bone health. Do your best to avoid processed foods that are high in saturated fat and sugar. In addition to keeping bone health in check, a healthy, balanced diet will prevent you from becoming obese.
Ask Your Doctor About Supplements
If you are older or have bone-related problems, it is advisable to consult your orthopedic doctor about the need for supplements during the winter. Some doctors suggest increasing your intake of vitamins such as vitamin D and K in cold weather. Be sure to take such supplements only after your doctor tells you to.
Enjoy The Morning Exercises
While getting out of bed seems like the worst thing to do on a winter morning, morning exercises can do wonders for your bones during the winter. As discussed above, mobility is important in maintaining good bone health. When you exercise, your blood flow, heart rate, and breathing improve. Putting a little more pressure on your bones makes them harder and more resistant to various health complications.
Ideally, health experts recommend 30 minutes of low to medium intensity exercise every morning to maintain healthy bones and muscles. Apart from protecting you from bone-related diseases, it also helps you keep fit when you go to the beach in summer!
Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
You must have seen people who like alcohol use their warming tendency as an excuse to drink more during the winter. Know that alcohol hinders bone density and increases the chances of osteoporosis. Make sure you refrain from excessive alcohol consumption just because it has a warming effect on your body.
The Final Word
These were some of the most important tips for effective winter orthopedic care. As you enjoy the season and all it brings, make sure you don’t take your bone health for granted. If you experience even minor abnormalities or encounter an accident that you believe damaged your bones, seek immediate help from your orthopedic surgeon.
