Feeling under the weather this winter? Understand common winter illness symptoms, from loss of smell and unusual swelling to chest pain, bowel changes, nausea, coughs, and skin issues, plus key takeaways.
Okay, so you’re feeling a bit under the weather, huh? Wondering if it’s just a winter thing or something more? We’ve all been there, trust me! Winter can be rough on our bodies, so let’s break down some common winter illness symptoms and, well, just figure out what’s going on.
Just a heads up, we’ll touch on a few things here, but it’s by no means everything. We’ll explore this further.
- Winter Illness Symptoms
- Loss of Sense of Smell for No Obvious Reason
- Non-Typical Swelling or Increase in Skin Thickness
- Chest Pain
- Changes in Bowel Movements for the Worse
- Severe Nausea with Vomiting
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Persistent Cough or Shortness of Breath
- Persistent or Recurrent Episodes of Pain
- Skin Rash or Some Other Skin Problems
- Key takeaways
- FAQ, Myth & Facts
Winter Illness Symptoms
Winter illness symptoms, um, they’re something we all dread. Here’s a breakdown of what you might experience:
Loss of Sense of Smell for No Obvious Reason
Losing your sense of smell can happen for all sorts of reasons, right? Usually, it’s because you’re enjoying some amazing food or crushing that workout. But when you lose your sense of smell seemingly out of nowhere, with no clear lifestyle changes, well, that’s when you should pay attention. It’s something that definitely warrants a closer look.
- Losing as little as 5% of your smell within six months, especially if you haven’t changed your diet or made alterations in your physical activity.
- Your sense of smell being affected by strong scents like perfumes.
This could indicate underlying health issues. So, keep an eye out if you notice:
- Issues in the brain that are impacting the supply of nutrients.
- Vitamin deficiencies.
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Parkinson’s disease, in rare cases.
Non-Typical Swelling or Increase in Skin Thickness
Don’t ignore any unusual swelling or growth, particularly if it’s accompanied by pain. Swelling is definitely a symptom of winter illness.
The cause of swelling may not always be serious, but it’s best to take precautions, as it might require a biopsy to examine cells and determine whether the swelling or growth is benign or malignant. Speaking of which, this growth could be the result of:
- Solid tumors, like lymphoma.
- Cysts.
- Infection.
- Fatty tumors.
As for the increase in size, when you notice a specific area of your hand swelling or thickening, and you feel that your ring is tighter than usual, or that touching this area feels different from touching the surrounding skin, this symptom warrants immediate medical consultation.
Chest Pain
A variety of health conditions can cause chest pain, some more severe than others, such as angina or the presence of a blood clot in the lung, while others are less serious, such as a strain in the chest muscles.
In general, chest pain is often a result of increased stress or high emotional states, and in about 20% of cases, it’s identified as angina.
But these are the symptoms that would prompt you to seek medical attention:
- A burning sensation in the chest.
- Sharp, sudden pain.
- Pain lasting longer than 15 minutes.
- Pain spreading to the arms, jaws, back, or neck.
- Pain accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or a rapid heartbeat.
If the pain is so severe that it becomes unbearable, you should contact a specialist immediately. It could indicate angina, meaning your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen.
That said, you might also want to consider that lifestyle factors can make a big difference too. Do you smoke? Are you getting enough exercise? Stress management techniques could also be worth exploring. These are things we often forget when focusing on specific symptoms.
Changes in Bowel Movements for the Worse
Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common diseases that occur frequently during the winter season, especially among young people. Therefore, don’t ignore any changes you feel are affecting your intestines, and here are ways to know if a change is affecting your body:
- The number of times you have to go to the bathroom for bowel movements, which may be more or less than normal.
- The nature of the bowel movements, such as diarrhea or constipation.
If these symptoms persist for a period ranging from 1-2 weeks continuously, with pain or blood in the stool, you need to see a doctor and get it checked out.
Severe Nausea with Vomiting
Severe nausea with vomiting in any area of your body could be one of the alarming symptoms of winter illnesses, so you should contact a doctor immediately if:
- It was dark in color, as this could indicate bleeding in the lungs or lung cancer.
- You find bright red or dark coffee-ground-like blood in the vomit, which could be a sign of bleeding in the stomach.
- You find that the color and smell of the stool are very bad, as this could be a sign of nausea in the intestines.
As for women who go to the doctor in cases of the appearance of the following symptoms:
- Nausea between two menstrual periods or after intercourse, which could mean nausea in the uterus or pregnancy.
- Menstrual nausea after menopause, which could be a sign of uterine cancer.
Difficulty Swallowing
If you are suffering from persistent difficulty in swallowing, with or without pain, you should see a doctor immediately, as this may indicate a health problem in the esophagus or blockage in the muscles, which may occur with normal aging or as a result of a previous injury.
It can be a bit worrying, especially if the difficulty swallowing is causing you to avoid swallowing saliva or frequently consuming liquids usually prescribed to someone undergoing chemotherapy.
Persistent Cough or Shortness of Breath
While coughing, sneezing, and colds in winter may be symptoms of common winter illnesses, some may not require treatment.
However, if the cough is persistent, severe, and painful with shortness of breath, you should see a doctor immediately. This could be caused by lung problems or congestive heart failure requiring medical intervention, or it could be caused by asthma.
Persistent or Recurrent Episodes of Pain
You may experience pain for no clear health reason, but persistent pain that recurs with varying intensity and lasting longer than three weeks may indicate a health problem.
The pain may occur in any area of the body, and it can be more concerning if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Loss of sense of smell.
- Prolonged fatigue and tiredness.
- Changes in the number of bowel movements.
Skin Rash or Some Other Skin Problems
You may not pay much attention to any skin rash in any area of your body, but if it’s accompanied by swelling, redness, or a type of blister, you should analyze what changes have occurred on it, as this change is one of the symptoms of winter diseases.
You should also be careful to see a doctor in cases of noticing skin problems with the following symptoms:
- Increased fluid that the skin rash or blisters secrete.
- The area’s color is dark.
- The appearance of sores.
- Itchiness.
- The appearance of swelling and sores around the skin rash area.
Key takeaways
- Don’t ignore persistent symptoms like loss of smell, unusual swelling, or chest pain.
- Changes in bowel habits, severe nausea, and difficulty swallowing warrant medical attention.
- Persistent cough, shortness of breath, and recurring pain episodes should be checked by a doctor.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
If I’m just tired, is it definitely a winter illness?
Not necessarily! Fatigue can be caused by many things, including lack of sleep, stress, or even just the shorter days of winter. However, if it’s persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, it’s worth checking in with a doctor.
Can I treat winter illnesses with just home remedies?
Some mild symptoms, like a minor cough or sore throat, can often be managed with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies. However, more severe symptoms or those that persist should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Is the flu the only winter illness I need to worry about?
Nope! While the flu is common, other viruses like the common cold, RSV, and norovirus are also prevalent in winter.
Myth: You can catch a cold from being cold.
Being cold doesn’t directly cause a cold. Colds are caused by viruses. However, spending time in cold environments can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to catching a virus if you’re exposed to one.
Testimonials
After dealing with a persistent cough for weeks, I finally decided to see a doctor. Turns out it wasn’t just a cold; I had a mild case of pneumonia. Getting the right treatment made a huge difference.
I ignored a strange swelling on my arm for months, thinking it was nothing. When it started causing pain, I got it checked out, and it was a benign tumor. I’m so relieved I didn’t wait any longer.
I thought my fatigue was just from the winter blues, but it turned out I was vitamin D deficient. A simple blood test and some supplements made a world of difference in my energy levels.
So, that’s the gist of it. Winter illnesses can be a real drag, but knowing the signs is half the battle, and at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to make it to spring, right? Remember that weird smell I was telling you about? Well, turns out it was just my neighbor’s new candle, ahah. Still, better safe than sorry! That’s why you should always, always listen to your body.
