At National Geriatric Hospital in Hanoi on January 12, many older patients arrived early for check-ups or follow-up appointments, bundled in warm clothing to limit the effects of the cold weather.
Doctors said low temperatures can directly affect the respiratory system, increasing the risk of flare-ups in chronic respiratory diseases.
Tran Xuan Nhuan, 79, said the cold weather had left him feeling fatigued, with joint pain and poor sleep. “The cold makes my body feel heavy and I can’t sleep deeply,” he said, adding that while he usually exercises daily, he has had to cut back during cold spells.
Hospitals became crowded as many elderly patients left home before dawn to secure early appointments, some attending on their own, while others required family support due to frailty or memory problems.
Le Thi Tan, in her 90s, said she was hospitalised after developing fatigue, shortness of breath and a mild fever. Doctors later diagnosed her with pneumonia. Her condition has since stabilised, though she remains weak following the acute phase.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Thu Hien said older people and those with underlying conditions are particularly vulnerable in cold weather due to reduced immunity and physical resilience, raising the risk of stroke and other complications.
She advised the elderly to eat well, stay warm, exercise moderately indoors and seek prompt medical care if symptoms such as fever, worsening cough, chest pain or breathing difficulties develop.