Three hospitals caution about the cold

As much as we’d like it to be, winter isn’t over yet. We’re likely to have a lot more cold in many areas before warm weather is here to stay.

On Google+ this week, we found these helpful posts from with information about staying safe and protecting loved ones in winter weather.

Gia Ramsey, the injury prevention coordinator for Safe Kids Mahoning Valley and Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley, offered tips for keeping kids safe as the temperatures dip to single digits and below.

Many may think winter is better for children with asthma since pollen — a common asthma trigger — is at a low point, but the cold, dry air winter brings can present a challenge.

Breathing cold air can be a trigger for some people. In addition, the winter months bring with them an increase in sinus infections and upper respiratory viral infections that can trigger or worsen asthma. Exercise alone can be a trigger, but combine it with many winter activities such as sledding and skating, and the cold weather months can be long and dreary for children with asthma.

Wearing a scarf over the mouth and nose can help warm cold air and decrease irritation. During an asthma attack you can help your child stay calm and relaxed, and coach him or her to take slow, deep breaths while giving his prescribed rescue medication. If this does not help, be sure to seek medical attention.

Learn about the Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin:

It’s frigid out! @TJUHospital #pulmonologist Michael Scharf, MD, has some on how you can protect your #lungs from the cold air, particularly if you have lung disorders such as#pulmonary hypertension, #COPD or#allergies or #asthma: Breathing right during the colder months

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