Dec. 12, 2018 | The shopping, the parties, the family get-togethers. Winter is a special time of year, with all the festivities and flourishes that go along with it, but it can also be a dangerous time. A person’s normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. When your body temperature falls below 95 degrees, hypothermia occurs. Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can’t operate normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death. When a person’s body temperature becomes too low, it affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Dec. 12, 2018 | Are you one of those people that fears freezing temperatures? Hypothermia occurs most commonly at very cold environmental temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures, at or around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water. One of the first signs of the condition is shivering because as the temperature starts to drop because it’s your body’s automatic defense against cold temperature, an attempt to warm itself. Slurred speech or mumbling, drowsiness and confusion or memory loss may occur. Hypothermia can cause a loss of consciousness and, in infants, bright red, cold skin. Someone with hypothermia usually isn’t aware of his or her condition because the symptoms often begin gradually. Also, the confused thinking associated with hypothermia prevents self-awareness. The confused thinking can also lead to risk-taking behavior.

Dec. 12, 2018 | If you notice signs of hypothermia in someone, the first thing to do is take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the person should receive medical attention immediately. If medical care is not available, begin warming the person by getting them into a warm room or shelter. If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it. Warm the center of the body first using an electric blanket, if available. After their body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck, and get them to the nearest physician. A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available.

Dec. 12, 2018 | Infants lose body heat more easily than adults and can’t make enough body heat by shivering, making them a high risk for hypothermia. Infants less than a year old should never sleep in a cold room. Provide warm clothing and a blanket for infants and try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere. In an emergency, you can keep an infant warm using your own body heat. If you must sleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on the baby. Pillows and other soft bedding can also present a risk of smothering so remove them from the area near the baby. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are more than 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during cold weather. Also, check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.

Dec. 12, 2018 | As the Christmas classic goes, baby, it’s cold outside. To protect you and your children during the winter months, it’s a good idea to remember the simple acronym COLD — cover, overexertion, layers, dry. Be sure to wear a hat or other protective covering to prevent body heat from escaping from your head, face and neck. Cover your hands with mittens instead of gloves. To prevent overexertion, avoid activities that would cause you to sweat a lot. The combination of wet clothing and cold weather can cause you to lose body heat more quickly. Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Outer clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material is best for wind protection. Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. And last but not least, stay as dry as possible. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. Be especially careful to keep your hands and feet dry, as it’s easy for snow to get inside of mittens and boots.