The month of the year with the most accidental deaths

Data released by the British Public Health Service show that in January 2015, the mortality rate reached the highest point in the past ten years, exceeding the average January mortality rate of 30% over the past ten years. %, and also higher than other months of the same year. More than 12,500 people died in January. Figures from the British Heart Foundation confirm that the number of deaths from coronary heart disease increased significantly in January. In the United States, which is also in the northern hemisphere, research results released by scientists at the University of Colorado in 2013 also showed that January is the peak period for deaths from heart disease.

John Todd, professor of medical genetics at the University of Cambridge, said not only does heart disease worsen in the winter months, but the number of new type 1 diabetes cases also rises in January. A 2012 Harvard study even showed that "bad cholesterol" and triglyceride levels rise to their highest point in January and reach their lowest point in the summer. "Bad cholesterol" and triglycerides are important causes of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

British psychologist Cliff Arnall proposed in 2005 that the third Monday in January is the lowest point of people's emotions throughout the year. Although some people disagree with this, what is certain is that many studies have shown that people do experience an extremely low mood in January, which may lead to death.

A study by the Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention also found that when the temperature falls below -19°C, the number of deaths in Harbin will increase significantly, and the average daily excess deaths from coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction show statistics. significance. In January, the monthly average minimum temperature in Harbin remains below -20°C all year round, which is lower than December of the previous year and February of the same year.

In an interview with a reporter from "Life Times", Professor Zhou Rongbin, director of the Emergency Department of the Beijing Military Region General Hospital, said that although there is no similar specific survey data in our country, from a clinical point of view, the mortality rate in January was relatively high. The problem does exist. January is often considered a difficult time for the elderly, while the casualties among young people in January are mainly due to sudden accidents.

A combination of temperature, light, etc.

British research pointed out that this situation is usually caused by a variety of reasons, some obvious, such as cold weather; some are more subtle, such as genetic problems ; Psychological fluctuations will also have a significant impact on this.

Low temperatures cause disease attacks. Zhou Rongbin said that the correlation between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and seasons has long been confirmed. As early as the 1920s, British researchers followed up and surveyed 19,000 British government civil servants aged 40 to 85 and found that mortality was related to temperature. Blood pressure and mortality in cold seasons were significantly higher than in hot seasons. But what is surprising is that influenza is not the main "killer" in January. Tim Ellis, head of national records for Scotland, explained that only a very small number of the increased deaths in winter were due to simple influenza, with most people dying from acute pneumonia, coronary heart disease and stroke.

Lack of light can lead to depression. The National Association of Mental Health points out that every winter, due to reduced light, the number of patients with depression increases significantly, even about 10% more than usual. A study by the American Academy of Family Physicians found that winter depressive symptoms usually begin at the turn of autumn and winter, peak in January and February of the following year, and do not ease until spring. British researchers further explained that people will hope that their low mood and bad situation will improve in the new year, so in December, the suicide rate usually decreases. However, after entering the new year, everything is not as expected. That getting better, extremely low mood will eventually lead to a rebound in suicide rates in January, which psychologists call a "delayed effect." A 1973 study from the State University of New York showed that people are significantly more likely to live past their birthdays than on other days. This shows that if you have strong psychological expectations, you can extend your life beyond these special days even if you are seriously ill.

Festivals disrupt regular life. Zhou Rongbin said that in addition to the global festival New Year's Day, the Chinese traditional festival Spring Festival also often occurs at the end of January. During the festival, people's daily, dietary, and exercise routines will be broken. Coupled with the mood swings during the New Year, the possibility of underlying diseases increases. In addition, when holidays come, people tend to stay away from the hospital and go home to reunite. Some illnesses can be delayed as long as possible, and we should try our best to survive the Spring Festival; those who are hospitalized can leave as long as they can, and they will never stay in the hospital longer. However, diseases and physical changes cannot take a "holiday" with the holidays. This mentality will inevitably lead to aggravation or attack of the disease.

Enhancing personal physical fitness is the top priority

To reduce various casualties in January, we must prevent their causes one by one.

Exercise moderately. Zhou Rongbin believes that exercise and fitness are the most important ways to enhance personal fitness. As long as your ability to withstand the cold is improved, you no longer need to worry about many diseases that may be caused by the cold. Dr. Meyer Bollings of the University of Toronto School of Medicine in Canada said that physical exercise can also increase endorphin levels in the body and help combat depression. Therefore, exercise cannot be missed in winter or during festivals.

Keep warm appropriately. Wearing layers of clothing is the easiest way to protect yourself from the cold. In winter, the elderly can put on knee pads to keep their knee joints warm; wear a cotton vest to keep their chest and abdomen warm; and have a hat and scarf ready when going out to prevent catching cold. However, Zhou Rongbin does not recommend wrapping yourself up so that there is no trace of air conditioning. You should keep warm appropriately while improving your ability to withstand the cold.

Properly ventilate.

Ventilation can reduce the chance of respiratory diseases. Even in the cold January, don’t forget to ventilate regularly.

Follow the sun. One of the best ways to prevent winter depression is to follow the sun. In some Nordic countries, many people take winter vacations to go to sunny places. For more people, it is more practical to make full use of sunny days and get more sun. If it continues to be cloudy, consider appropriately brightening the indoor light, especially at night. Do not always stay in dim light.

Socialize more. Research from the University of Vermont in the United States believes that people with seasonal affective disorder should chat more, as the effect is better than light therapy.