| Winter
Weather Dress: Staying Warm |
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(Page 2) Hypothermia also known as exposure is a serious loss of body heat. It is defined as the state in which an individual has or is at risk of having a sustained reduction of body temperature below 96°F. Though we often associate hypothermia with severe colder temperatures this condition can also occur in temperatures that are somewhat milder. Wet or cooler conditions with temperatures in the low thirties or forties can also cause hypothermia. Often times the most effective course of treatment that we can initiate is simply to recognize the early warning signs and to retreat into a warmer and dryer climate. If allowed to run it's course, the heat loss can be so great that a person may no longer be able to produce their own body heat in order to stay warm. Behavioral changes can take place where the person is incoherent and confused. When these behaviors are present the person is at serious risk of life threatening conditions. One should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Frostbite on the other hand is defined as local tissue (skin) destruction resulting from exposure to extreme cold or contact with extremely cold objects. In mild cases, it results in erythema (inflammation) and slight pain: in severe cases it can be painless or paresthetic (numbness or tingling) and result in blistering or deep-seated destruction of the exposed tissue. High winds creating a "wind chill" factor usually increase the potential of frostbite but so can wet or damp clothing. More often then not frostbite effects those areas of the body, usually the extremities, including one's fingers, toes, ears, cheeks and nose. As a general rule of thumb you will want to keep those areas covered and warm on cold winter days. Some of the early warning signs of frostbite include redness to the exposed area. If allowed to run its course the condition will progressively get worse including a tingling sensation or numbness to the area. Removing yourself from these cold conditions is the first thing you should do. Be careful as to not rub these areas very hard as you may cause further damage to the exposed areas. Instead gently rub these areas while warming up inside. Sometimes, immersion of these areas in warm, not hot water can have a soothing effect. If the pain continues for any lengthy period of time you should seek medical attention. The easiest way to avoid these conditions all together is to stay indoors and become a hermit. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way and there are still too many activities that require us to go out in these dreaded conditions. If you must go out there are some simple rules to follow that will prevent unnecessary mishaps from occurring The first general rule of thumb is to dress appropriately for any outdoor activities. As simple as this sounds you'd be amazed of how many people become injured by not following this simple rule. Using good common sense on how to dress when going out will make all of the difference in the world. Remember, you should not only dress for what you intend to be doing but also you should be prepared for the unexpected. I often have to remind my teenage kids during the winter not to go outside in only a lightweight jacket even if they think they're just going for a car ride. Will that lightweight jacket be sufficient in subfreezing temperatures should the car break down? |