Winter is coming, and with it, a surge in emergency room visits. But what if you could sidestep the chaos and stay healthy this season?
Arjun Venkatesh, a Yale professor of emergency medicine and chair of emergency medicine at Yale School of Medicine, knows a thing or two about winter-related injuries. He shared some crucial advice on a local news station four years ago, and, as fate would have it, learned a valuable lesson shortly after.
"Just a thin layer of ice is all it takes to fall and break a bone," Venkatesh had warned. But just two days later, while taking out the trash at his home, he experienced a slip and fall himself! "I didn’t follow my own advice," he admits. "I didn’t do anything to remove the ice, and sure enough, I slipped and fell right on my butt and slid the entire way down the driveway."
This incident highlights a critical point: winter weather presents a host of challenges. Slips, trips, and falls are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. The colder months also bring a rise in respiratory viruses like influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
So, what can you do to protect yourself? Venkatesh provides insights into why emergency departments are so busy during winter, who is most vulnerable, and how to stay safe as the temperature plummets. Stay tuned for more details!
