How to Avoid Frequent Upper Respiratory Illnesses

Throughout this season, cold dry weather causes excessive dryness of the throat and nasal cavity, and the dry air from your heater saps the humidity within your home. While the popular belief is that lowered temperatures cause frequent upper respiratory illnesses like the common cold and flu, the lowered humidity plays a big part. 

The throat and nasal cavity are lined by mucus membrane, that releases mucous, which keeps them moist. The mucous also contains some antiseptic enzymes and antibodies which either kill micro-organisms upon contact or activate the immune system to act against them, respectively. 

Dry air causes the throat and nasal cavity to dry out, and most of us make matters worse by drinking less water, resulting in dehydration and therefore less production of mucus. All of these literally open the doors to viruses and micro-organisms into your body, and that is the foremost reason for the increase in upper respiratory illnesses in winter.

Keep yourself and your family healthy this season by following these rules:

1.  Stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. Remind yourself to take a sip here and there. 
2.  Maintain the level of humidity in your home at 25-40% by running a humidifier. 
3.  To keep your nasal cavity moist, use a saline nasal spray when you are outdoors. 
4.  Avoid turning the thermostat up in your home (you also save a lot of energy!). 
5.  We all know this rule, but it can never be repeated enough - always eat a healthy and wholesome diet, stay away from junk food, get enough exercise, and use homeopathy!

Stay warm, and stay healthy!