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What Cold Weather Does to the Body and How to Protect Yourself this Winter

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Since 1924, the American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke and helping people to live longer, healthier lives. Our local AHA shares ways that you can stay healthy, get involved and help raise awareness right here in NEPA.

Understanding How Winter Weather Affects the Body

Health experts warn extreme cold – or even prolonged exposure to normal winter temperatures – can affect the heart, the brain and other vital organs.

How the Body Loses Heat

When exposed to the cold, the body can lose heat faster than it’s produced. Over time, the body uses up its stored energy and body temperature begins to drop. Long-term exposure to the cold – especially if the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit – can lead to hypothermia, frostbite and other problems.

About 60% of heat loss occurs through radiation – heat simply radiates away from the body into the surrounding air. The body also can lose heat through conduction and convection, which happens when a person touches a cold object, such as the steering wheel of a car, or cold wind touches the body. Heat can also leave the body through evaporation, such as when someone sweats while running, shoveling snow or otherwise exerting themselves in cold weather.

People also can lose heat by breathing in cold air and breathing out warm, moist air.

Just breathing takes away a fair amount of thermal energy to warm the cold air taken into the lungs, he said.

Cold and the Cardiovascular System

When air temperatures drop, blood vessels constrict to prevent heat loss and to keep more blood around the body’s core, which is why fingers and toes get cold.

But this increases blood pressure, and high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke, especially in people who already face higher cardiovascular risks. Extreme cold also may cause blood to thicken and become more prone to clotting, which likewise raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Cold and the Respiratory System

People with asthma, chronic lung disease, or other respiratory conditions or illnesses are at higher risk when temperatures drop because cold, dry air irritates the airways. This leads to greater inflammation and causes muscles around the airways to constrict, which can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or a burning feeling in the chest, especially during exertion.

Susceptibility to Illness

In general, cold weather can make people more susceptible to illness. People tend to congregate indoors, making it easier for germs to spread in crowded environments. What’s more, some viruses can survive better in the cold, and the human immune system may lose some of its effectiveness.

Hypothermia and the Brain

Blood vessel constriction because of the cold can impair cognitive function.

This is especially a problem if hypothermia takes hold, which happens when core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Hypothermia can be caused by exposure to extreme cold or may occur during less cold temperatures if the body gets chilled from rain, sweat or being in cold water.

Warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, slow breathing, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion, a puffy or swollen face and pale skin. Babies experiencing hypothermia may have bright, red skin and very low energy.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency, and early warning signs such as shivering should never be ignored.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeking immediate medical help for hypothermia. If that isn’t available, restore body heat by getting the person into a warm room or shelter, removing wet clothing, warming their chest, neck, head and groin area with blankets, towels or sheets, and giving them warm drinks but no alcohol.

Frostbite

Prolonged exposure to the cold, when less blood flows to the extremities, also can cause frostbite. People with poor blood circulation are at higher risk. Warning signs include numbness, pale or waxy skin, redness or pain.

The CDC recommends immediately getting out of the cold and into a warmer environment if this occurs. Avoid rubbing the frostbitten area or walking on frostbitten feet or toes, as this can cause more damage. Instead, put the frostbitten areas in warm – not hot – water. If this is not available, use body heat from other parts of the body to warm the area, such as by placing frostbitten hands or fingers in an armpit. Do not use heating pads or heat from a stove, as the affected areas may easily burn.

Who is Most Vulnerable

Both the very old and the very young are more vulnerable to the cold than people in other age groups.

Older adults may have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, which prevents proper blood flow, or take medications that make it harder for them to stay warm. Memory problems can prevent people from remembering to dress appropriately for cold weather, and thyroid problems can make it tougher for the body to properly regulate its temperature.

How to Keep Warm

Dress for success and avoid being unprepared and exposed to the elements. Make sure no skin is left exposed, and don’t forget to wear a neck wrap, a hat and gloves, not just a jacket.

Staying active while out in the cold helps generate body heat, but too much exertion can have the opposite effect. Avoid excessive physical activity because you will sweat and lose heat.

Warm drinks may help people stay warm outdoors, but alcohol should be avoided. It can make you feel warmer, but it dilates blood vessels and alcohol interferes with the ability to think straight.

Smoking Should also be Avoided

Shivering is another way to generate heat. The main reason you shiver is that the brain detects you are getting cold and sends a signal to the body to increase adrenaline. You can make yourself shiver by tightening your muscles repeatedly, which will increase body temperature as energy is used in this muscle activity.

And don’t rely on the thermometer to signal when cold weather is too cold. People who are used to living in colder regions may fare better than those who live in warmer climates and are suddenly exposed to the cold, for example.