|
|
|
| Contact: Christine Hill (612) 873-5719 |
12/15/08 |
Prevent exposure to these dangerous winter conditions!
The Minnesota cold is sneaking its way back and for the majority of us, there is no way to avoid the frigid weather. It is very important for Minnesota residents to know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite – dangerous cold weather conditions that can put us at risk when temperatures take a dip.
Hennepin County Medical Center treats an average of three to six severe cases of frostbite annually and between three to six cases of severe hypothermia where the body temperature is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Less severe cases are seen much more often annually for both hypothermia and frostbite.
Hypothermia occurs when too much heat escapes the core of the body and cannot be replaced quickly enough. Hypothermia can affect someone's mental and physical abilities and eventually be fatal if not treated. It sets in very slowly, which causes people to not realize they need help or medical attention.
"When people become hypothermic, they lose their capacity for clear thought," stated Dr. Doug Brunette, HCMC Emergency Physician and hypothermia specialist, "for that reason, we have to rely on other people to know when to bring them in." Hypothermia can occur when someone is in cold temperatures, a cold wind chill, or in water. Water is especially dangerous because the body loses heat faster.
Some symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, which is the body's attempt to create heat through muscle activity, slurred speech, very slow breathing rate, pale cold skin, and fatigue. Hypothermia becomes fatal when core temperatures get too low causing cardiac and respiratory failure.
Medical help should be called immediately when a person who has been in cold air or water is displaying the signs and symptoms of hypothermia. While waiting for help to arrive, do the following if possible: remove the person from the cold, remove wet clothing, insulate the person's body from the cold ground, monitor breathing, share body heat, and provide a warm, nonalcoholic beverage if a person is able to swallow. Do not apply direct heat, massage the person, or provide alcoholic beverages because a person could go into cardiac arrest if the body is not reheated properly.
Frostbite is another condition cold-weather citizens should be concerned about. Frostbite is caused when skin is exposed to very cold temperatures, causing the skin and underlying tissues to freeze and die. Areas most likely to receive frostbite are hands, feet, nose and ears.
Frostbite symptoms include a hard, pale, cold section of the skin that becomes red and painful as it thaws. Frostbite occurs when the body realizes it needs to keep the core temperature stable, so it will not send as much blood to the extremities. If you have a -30 degree wind chill, it only takes a matter of minutes for skin to freeze. There are two ways tissues will die: cells die at the time of the exposure and because of the lack of oxygen. The reason why tissue dies varies in each individual depending on cardiac health, smoking, age, or other cardiovascular issues. Medical help should be sought out if there is development of blisters or open wounds from exposure to cold. To rewarm and dethaw frozen areas of the body, affected areas are immersed in warm water (around 102 degrees).
"Prevention is most important for these conditions," Brunette emphasized. "Use common sense in the winter – if it is really cold, don't go out at all unless you absolutely need to, cover all your skin surfaces, and dress in layers – which is warmer than wearing one large bulky jacket. Don't be outside alone and don't drink alcohol and go outside."
Cold Weather Tips
- Always dress for the weather, being sure to cover ears, nose, face, and head at all times.
- Wear mittens instead of gloves
- Wear two pairs of socks and waterproof shoes to keep feet warm.
- Clothes should fit loosely to avoid a decrease in the amount of blood supplied to legs and arms.
- Do not smoke or drink because it can affect your body's blood circulation.
- Always travel with a friend incase help would be needed or something would happen.
Pay attention to the "real feel" temperature. This temperature factors in the wind chill, which may be much lower than the reported air temperature.
Hennepin County Medical Center is a nationally recognized Level 1 Trauma Center with the largest emergency department in Minnesota. The comprehensive academic medical center and public teaching hospital includes a 446-bed acute care hospital and primary care and specialty clinics located in downtown Minneapolis, and four primary care clinics in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. For the twelfth year in a row, Hennepin County Medical Center is listed in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of the top U.S. Hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” report.
###
|
|
