Parents Want to Know 101: Cold-Blooded Killer: Hypothermia

Friday, February 20, 2015

Cold-Blooded Killer: Hypothermia

By Sharon Rose

Are you dressed, properly, for the winter weather? Pay attention to
how your body feels when shoveling snow.

Winter, 2015, is turning into a brutally cold season in many areas. Parents need to know about the COLD-BLOODED KILLER: HYPOTHERMIA. Some may have never heard of hypothermia, much less know how to get a handle on it. Here are the bone-chilling facts about this cold-blooded killer.

What is Hypothermia?

A body temperature below 96 degrees Fahrenheit is called hypothermia, and it doesn't take arctic temperatures to put you at risk. Even a moderately chilly air temperature of 60 degrees is low enough to trigger hypothermia if you aren't properly clothed.

The National Institute of Aging estimates that of the 28,000 people hypothermia kills every year, the largest percentage are older people. Some medicines, problems with circulation, and certain illnesses appear to reduce the older person's ability to resist hypothermia. Also, the older you get, the less sensitive you are to cold weather. So, your body temperature could drop to a dangerously low level without you really being aware of it. In addition, older people don't seem to shiver very effectively, which is one of the ways the body warms itself up. However, there is no doubt that hypothermia is a danger regardless of a person's age; and, yes, even children.

A warm drink will lift your spirits!

*Remember these tips to help prevent hypothermia:

1. Dress in layers

2. Always wrap up well when going outside in the cold.

3. Set your thermostat to at least a toasty 70 degrees during cold weather.

4. Avoid extensive exposure to breezes and drafts.

5. Keep plenty of nutritious food and warm clothes and blankets on hand to help ward off the winter chill.

6. It would be wise to wear a warm hat during cold, winter months.

7. Eat hot foods and drink warm drinks several times during the day.

8. Ask a family member or neighbor to check on you often.

9. Ask your doctor if any medicine you're taking increases your risk of hypothermia. Some drugs make it difficult for your body to stay warm. *Drugs that may cause a problem include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chlorpromazine, reserpine, and tricyclic antidepressants.

10. When shoveling snow, dress warm and in layers, take frequent breaks, and pay attention to how your body feels. Do not eat a heavy meal nor alcohol before or after shoveling snow. The elderly or those with health disparities should avoid shoveling snow all together.

How to Help Someone Suffering From Hypothermia:

To help someone you suspect may be suffering from hypothermia, first call an ambulance. Then lie close to the person and cover both of you with thick blankets. The hotter you get, the more warmth you can give the other person. Don't rub the person or handle him or her roughly. That can make things worse.

How to Help Yourself If You Suspect Hypothermia:

If your temperature is 96 degrees or less, or you feel sluggish or recognize that you're having trouble thinking clearly, call an ambulance and go to the nearest emergency room. It's better to be overly cautious than to die of a disorder that doesn't have to be deadly.

Practice protecting yourself and your family from extreme cold winter temperatures!