Recently, most parts of China have experienced a "cliff-like" drop in temperature, with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region seeing a decrease of over 10°C, which can be described as "entering winter overnight." Many netizens have noted a smooth transition from "short-sleeve mode" to "down jacket mode."
Before the heating season begins, how can everyone stay warm and protect their health? Meng Guangsong, Deputy Chief Physician of the Respiratory Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated with Capital Medical University, debunks five common misconceptions about staying warm—let’s see if you’ve fallen for any of them?
Misconception One: The More Layers, the Better, Wrapping the Baby Like a Michelin?
Some people believe that wearing more clothes during cold weather can keep them warmer, but excessive clothing can lead to excessive sweating, which in turn causes the body to lose heat. In particular, many parents, upon feeling their child's cold hands and feet, immediately start dressing them in multiple layers of clothing.
Meng Guangsong analyzed that the extremities of the human body are relatively far from the heart's blood supply, so the hands and feet are the most likely to feel cold. However, the hands and feet cannot fully reflect the body's core temperature, and one should not judge whether a child is cold or hot solely by touching their hands and feet. He suggested, "It is appropriate to add or remove clothing according to the adult's rhythm. The thickness of the child's clothing should be similar to what adults are wearing now."
Misconception Two: Keeping doors and windows tightly shut to avoid the cold, maintaining a "spring-like" environment indoors?
Meng Guangsong pointed out that autumn and winter are the peak seasons for influenza. If viruses are brought home after going out and the home is not regularly ventilated, the concentration of viruses can be very high in enclosed spaces. Therefore, indoor ventilation must be prioritized. "Open the windows for ventilation once in the morning or once in the afternoon, preferably when the temperature is higher and warmer, to allow indoor air to circulate. Once the air flows, various bacteria, viruses, or mycoplasma that accumulate indoors are less likely to survive. Their concentration can be reduced through ventilation, making it less likely for us to fall ill," Meng Guangsong said.
Misconception Three: Should the elderly exercise in the morning regardless of weather conditions, and persist even when it's colder?
Morning is the 'devil time' for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, as cold air stimulates blood vessel contraction, making it highly prone to trigger accidents. Additionally, Meng Guangsong analyzed that from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, elderly individuals often have insufficient vital energy, making them less capable of resisting cold pathogens. During autumn and winter, temperatures drop significantly, especially in the early morning, which is particularly cold. Elderly people with underlying health conditions are especially vulnerable to cold or wind pathogens. "From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, elderly individuals should engage in exercise by following the sun and the temperature. After the sun rises and the temperature increases, when yang energy is abundant, exercising reduces the likelihood of being affected by cold or wind."
Misconception Four: Leaving Electric Heaters and Electric Blankets On All Night
Leaving electrical appliances such as electric heaters and electric blankets on all night not only poses risks like fire hazards but also can be harmful to health. Meng Guangsong stated that prolonged use of electric heaters and electric blankets can affect indoor humidity. Since the humidity in the air is already low during autumn and winter, extended use of these appliances can easily cause dryness in the nose and airways, and may even lead to symptoms such as dry cough. He suggested that during autumn and winter, households should keep a thermometer and hygrometer handy to monitor indoor temperature and humidity at all times. It is best to maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60%, with an optimal temperature around 20°C to 22°C, and the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors should not be too large.
Misconception Five: Enduring discomfort, "It will be fine once the heating is on"?
Meng Guangsong pointed out that in autumn and winter, the principle of thermal expansion and contraction applies, and blood vessels also constrict when exposed to cold. The elasticity of blood vessels in the elderly is inherently poor, and sudden constriction due to cold exposure can easily lead to insufficient blood supply to local tissues, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, chest tightness, chest pain, and fluctuations in blood pressure. Therefore, staying warm in cold weather helps to avoid wind and cold, which is crucial for patients with underlying cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Once symptoms like chest tightness, dizziness, or even numbness on one side occur, it may indicate vascular issues, and timely medical attention is necessary. It is important not to tough it out.
In addition, during the autumn and winter seasons, the airways are prone to constriction after exposure to wind and cold. For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, the airways tend to narrow when exposed to cold, and for COPD patients, this narrowing becomes even more severe, exacerbating breathlessness. "Such patients can consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to prescribe medications that warm the lungs, tonify the lungs, and dispel cold from the surface, helping everyone get through the winter safely," said Meng Guangsong.
