With the arrival of autumn, due to temperature changes, there is an increase in the incidence of diseases that affect the respiratory tract, whether it is the upper respiratory tract – ear, nose and throat, as well as the lower respiratory tract – bronchi, bronchioles and lungs.

According to Doctor Matheus Chioro Corrêa, otolaryngologist at VITA Hospital, a sharp increase in cases of flu, colds, sinusitis, otitis and pneumonia is very common at the beginning of autumn, situations that can be avoided by following a few tips.

In autumn, large temperature changes during the day are frequent and this directly affects the immune system. Therefore, it is essential to maintain healthy habits such as adequate hydration, a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

With lower temperatures, dry and cold air, dryness of the respiratory tract occurs. “A great option to help with treatment is nasal wash and inhalation, both with 0.9% saline solution,” says Dr. Matheus.

The otolaryngologist also explains that closed environments with a lot of people should be avoided. “Most respiratory infections are caused by respiratory droplets. Leaving the environment airy and keeping your distance, especially from people with cold and flu symptoms, is essential,” warns the specialist.

The doctor. Matheus also insists on the need to wash your hands well, either with running water and soap, or disinfect them with hydroalcoholic gel. “Countless times throughout the day people put their hands over their eyes, mouth and nose and with that they can carry viruses and bacteria into the airways,” he adds.

In addition, it is essential to always be particularly careful with extremes of age. Children, like the elderly, do not have fully competent immune systems and may be more susceptible to opportunistic infections. They also have a higher risk of complications from these infections, which is why it is important to have a medical evaluation as soon as symptoms appear.

Another group of people who require special attention are those who already have chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. Patients suffering from rhinitis, bronchitis and asthma should consult a doctor for preventive and maintenance treatments of the underlying disease, avoiding the aggravation of these diseases. The most common symptoms of fall illnesses are: nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches and fever.

Treatment should always be individualized. Therefore, when symptoms appear, you need to consult a doctor. The consultation of a specialist allows an early and precise diagnosis, in addition to an adequate treatment. The doctor also insists on the dangers of self-medication. Because often, self-medication, with common anti-influenza, aggravates the disease and has side effects.

“By following these instructions and taking the precautions mentioned above, it is possible to greatly reduce the incidence of these diseases and, consequently, to reduce queues in hospitals and hospitalizations”, underlines the otolaryngologist.

About VITA Hospital – The first Rede VITA unit in Paraná was inaugurated in March 1996, in Bairro Alto, and the second in December 2004, in Batel. VITA was the first Brazilian hospital to obtain, at the beginning of 2008, the Canadian international accreditation CCASS (Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation). Health services certification assesses excellence in management and, primarily, patient care safety. In addition, VITA is one of the multiplier hospitals of the Brazilian Patient Safety Program (PBSP), which aims to spread and create innovative improvements in quality and patient safety. It is also part of the group of hospitals of the National Association of Private Hospitals – ANAHP. VITA offers round-the-clock care and is a reference in the fields of cardiology, general surgery, neurology, bariatric surgery, emergency medicine, urology, intensive care and orthopedic traumatology. In addition, it has a complete sports medicine service, offering care to athletes of different modalities; oncology department; Medical center and diagnostic center. In order to guarantee a high level of quality in the services provided to patients, VITA has invested in the extension of its infrastructures, treatments with multidisciplinary teams, the modernization of equipment, the humanization of care, the training of professionals and the securing care. http://www.hospitalvita.com.br