Winter has many hurdles to overcome, not only does it cause travel and other daily necessities more difficult, but it can also have a substantial impact on your health.

A common ailment many may have been experiencing is a cough. Dr. Denis Fortier, Vice-president of Medical Services for Southern Health Sente Sud, often says the cold can exasperate someone's asthma to cause a cough, flu season is another culprit.

"I'm not sure we can say the flu occurs because it's cold, but it certainly is within the annual cycle of flu. It seems to be when I'm talking specifically about influenza, and this happens primarily between November and March every year. So it seems to coincide with winter."

Dr. Fortier adds although people do get colds in the summer, it seems to happen more in winter, but school season could also be a culprit. In crowded centres like schools, young students can quickly spread microbes to others and then bring it to their families.

Avoiding the flu can come down to eating healthy, getting proper amounts of sleep, and take part in physical activity to improve the immune system. The other big push is to wash one's hands more regularly, to limit the chances of transferring germs.

However, flu and colds are just one of many ailments that can occur during the winter months, and many throughout the season are susceptible to all manner of aches, pains, and dryness.

Winter in Manitoba can be extremely dry during the winter and can cause damage not only to the skin but the inside of the body as well.

"Humidity levels in the air are exceedingly low, sometimes down to 30 percent, and that is uncomfortably dry. It's hard on the skin, skin requires moisture, and it's hard on the lining of the lungs, which requires some humidity as well. If it's not getting that moisture, it tends to crack and become more brittle and becomes more susceptible to diseases."

The cold can also lead to frostbite and hypothermia, and Dr. Fortier says it's increasingly essential to remind people to dress appropriately and protect themselves as the thermostat continues to drop below zero.

Another common injury that doctors see over winter is mechanical injuries.

Although it seems simple, Dr. Fortier says with the first significant snowfalls, and as the snow becomes increasingly regular, many people aren't prepared when the shovel. Whether it's because they didn't stretch before or muscles that are used during shovelling aren't worked regularly, injuries to occur when people push themselves to finish their driveway in one go.

Winter has some drawbacks, but if you take the necessary steps to dress warmly and prepare yourself before going outside, Dr. Fortier says winter can be bearable and quite enjoyable at times.