Sudden changes in temperature cause five out of ten visits to the emergency room

Both high and low temperatures exert an effect on our health and are determinants in the body thermoregulatory center, exerting an adverse effect on some of our physiological functions, and even, modifying the power of our defenses against pathogenic microorganisms, as they claim specialists from Hospitals Quirónsalud Murcia and Torrevieja. "For example, while high temperatures will favor gastrointestinal pathologies, low temperatures favor respiratory diseases more frequently, origin of five out of ten visits to the emergency room," says Dr. Fulgencio Molina, head of the de hospital's emergency department of the Hospital Quirónsalud Murcia.

One of the most important effects of cold is the vasoconstriction that causes changes both at the cardiovascular level increased blood pressure and heart rate, and in the nasal area where it causes the mucus to be more dense. "Vasoconstriction caused by low temperatures," warns Dr. Gemma Ramón, family physician of Quirónsalud Torrevieja, "increases the probability of myocardial infarction in patients with cardiovascular risk and promotes the formation of thrombi. On the other hand, nasal vasoconstriction decreases the ability to eliminate the viruses we inhale, which together with staying longer in unventilated places such as offices, schools, etc., increases the risk of contagious viral respiratory diseases such as colds. , the flu or pneumonia. "

These respiratory viral diseases can occur with low-grade fever, musculoskeletal pain, malaise, cough, mucus and may even be complicated in patients with chronic diseases such as heart disease, COPD and diabetes, presenting in these cases more severe symptoms such as high fever, chest pain and dyspnea. or respiratory distress, as well as in obese people, smokers and people over 65 or under 5 years of age, as Dr. Ramón points out.

To avoid all these conditions, Quirónsalud specialists recommend vaccination, especially for the high-risk population, avoid exposure to sudden changes in temperatures, increase the intake of fruit, especially citrus fruits and medical control of the most vulnerable population.