Care to guess which season has the most doctors’ visits for respiratory issues?  If you said winter, than you may want to take a look at the respiratory health guidelines below:

1. Wash Your Hands Regularly: You’ve probably heard about the importance of washing your hands since childhood. Your parents were absolutely right – failing to keep your hands clean gives germs a chance to find their way into your body.

2. Cover Up Your Nose and Mouth in the Cold: Cold air doesn’t just chill the skin; its dryness can also irritate the airways of those with asthma, bronchitis or COPD, leading to nagging symptoms like coughing and wheezing. You may not like them, but scarves go a long way towards keeping cold air from passing through your nose and mouth.

3. Cover Up The Rest of Your Body Too: Of course, it goes without saying that wearing the appropriate clothing during the winter is a must. Adults and children who are bit by the chill of Old Man Winter could develop respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

4. Stay Away From the Fireplace: Everyone loves sitting by a roaring fireplace on a cold night. Unfortunately, this is one winter-related activity that some people might be better off skipping; people with respiratory conditions and allergies might find themselves coughing and wheezing due to fireplace smoke and fumes.