This one simple habit can slash your chances of getting sick this season
The nose knows, folks.While you can’t catch a cold from weather alone, temperature changes directly affect our susceptibility to sickness.
Cold, dry air increases our likelihood of catching something nasty — and our nasal passages are our first line of defense.“The nasal apparatus is designed to be the first step in fighting off infection and filtering out irritants in the environment,” Dr.
Amy Brown, a board-certified pulmonologist, assistant professor of pediatrics at New York Medical College School of Medicine, as well as an adjunct associate professor of public health at the School of Health Sciences and Practice, recently told HuffPost.According to Brown, our noses have an internal humidification system that helps us adapt and respond to external environments — and it’s best to keep tabs on that as much as possible during cold months.
When the outside air is too dry, the nose must work overtime to humidify the air we breathe.As Brown explains, “When nasal filtration and immune defenses aren’t functioning optimally due to dry air, viruses — like those that cause respiratory infections and fall colds — can get in more easily.” Dry lips, nose, and skin indicate a dry indoor setting.
A humidifier can help, but Brown warns that too much moisture in the home can make breathing difficult and promote mold growth.She says the sweet spot for indoor humidity is 35% to 45%In fact, experts say the key to prevention lies in maintaining your mucus layer.A sheet of snot within the inner lining of the schnoz, the mucus layer, acts as a blockade for bacteria.
This layer is critical as it removes airborne particles before they reach the lower airways.Research shows that when a virus or bacteria enters the nose, it signals the cells lining the nose to replicate into decoy extracellular vesicles or EVS.These EVs are like mini versions of cells specifically designed to protect the body from the threat of infection.
As decoys, viruses stick to them instea...