Winter Weather

‘Tis the season! Once again we are all receiving the cold shoulder, not to mention cold hands and feet. While most people brave the winter weather season fairly well, it's important to understand the dangers of winter weather and know how to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential cold-weather dangers.

How The Body Responds To Cold
An individual gains body heat from food and muscular work, and loses it through convection, conduction, radiation, and sweating to maintain a constant body temperature of approximately 98.6°F. The body’s first response to a cold environment is constriction of the blood vessels of the skin, that reduces heat loss from the surface of the skin by decreasing peripheral blood flow; and/or shivering that generates heat by increasing the body’s metabolic rate.

Environmental Conditions
Along with conditions such as low temperatures, cool high winds, dampness, and cold water, wind chill is an important factor to evaluate when working outside. For example, when the actual air temperature of the wind is 40°F and its velocity is 35 mph, the exposed skin would perceive these conditions as if the equivalent still air temperature were 12°F.

Other Major Risk Factors For Cold-Related Stresses
In addition to the cold environment, other major risk factors contributing to cold-related stresses include:

·    Inadequate clothing or wet clothing - The actual effects of cold on the body depend on how well the skin is insulated from the environment

·    Drug use or certain medications - May inhibit the body’s response to cold or impair judgment (examples include beta blocks, neuroleptic drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes

·    A cold or other disease - Diabetes, atherosclerosis and hypothyroidism, may increase risk

·    Gender - Male death rates due to cold exposure are greater than the rates for females; perhaps because of inherent risk-taking activities, body fat composition, or other physiological differences

·    Age - Susceptibility increases with age

Harmful Effects Of Cold
Common harmful effects of cold include frostbite, trench foot, and general hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when skin tissue actually freezes and cell damage results. The freezing point of skin is approximately 30°F and wind-chill can be a significant factor in accelerating the process. Fingers, toes, cheeks, nose, and ears are primarily affected. The symptoms of frostbite include an uncomfortable sensation of coldness; there may be a tingling, stinging, or aching feeling followed by numbness. Initially the frostbitten area appears white and is cold to the touch. This is followed by heat, redness, and swelling.

Occasionally a victim may not be aware of the frostbite. Tissue damage can be mild and reversible or severe, resulting in scarring and tissue death. Amputation or loss of function can be an unfortunate result. First aid includes treating affected areas with warm water at 102° to 110°F. Be careful to avoid rubbing frostbitten areas because this can lead to greater tissue injury. If there is a chance for refreezing, do not re-warm the affected areas. 

Trench foot may be caused by long, continuous exposure to a wet and cold environments, or actual immersion in water. The condition is characterized by vascular damage. Symptoms include a tingling and/or itching sensation, pain, and swelling. Blisters may form and be followed by death of skin tissue and ulceration. 

First aid treatment for trench foot is similar to the treatment for frostbite, and includes: moving the victim to a warm area; treating the affected part with warm water (102°-110°F) or warm packs; arranging bed rested in a warm environment; and obtaining medical assistance as soon as possible. 

General hypothermia is the progressive loss of body heat with prolonged exposure to cold. Body heat loss is accelerated more rapidly when a person is wet because of sweat or working in a damp environment. Most cases of hypothermia develop in air temperatures between 30° & 50°F, but significant hypothermia can occur with air temperatures as high as 65°F (particularly when clothing is wet), or in the water at 72°F.

The first symptoms of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering and feeling of cold. As the body’s temperature continues to drop, an individual can become confused, careless, and disoriented. At this point a person may make little or no effort to avoid further exposure to the cold. For those working around machinery or animals, accidental injury is an additional risk. When the core body temperature falls below 86°F, the body's adaptive mechanisms for reducing heat loss become ineffective and death can occur. 

Individuals experiencing mild hypothermia should be immediately moved to a warm, dry shelter. Further heat loss is minimized by removing wet clothing and applying warm blankets for insulation. Warm, nonalcoholic, caffeine-free drinks may be offered. More severe cases of hypothermia require intensive medical care. 

Preparation & Protection
There are several things we can do to keep warm and prevent cold weather related accidents. The first thing we want to do is to keep our body temperature at or about normal, 98.6F. This can be accomplished by wearing loose-fitting and dry clothing in layers. While wearing traditional materials like cotton or lightweight wool are effective, polypropylene wicks perspiration away from the skin and keeps your body dry. And it's true that 40 to 50 percent of our body heat can be lost from the surface of the head and neck, so wear that hat and scarf.

Here are some other ways to protect yourself from harsh winter weather:

·    Protect your hands and feet - Wear mittens when possible because your fingers can share warmth (regular gloves are good, but mittens have the edge). Wear socks that will keep your feet dry and warm. Some people wear a light liner sock made of a material that wicks away moisture next to the foot and then put a natural fiber sock over it. Try to wear the higher cut socks, not the low risers.

·    Protect your lips - Use lip balm to keep your lips from drying out from the cold and windy weather.

·    Avoid dehydration - As long as fluids are not restricted by your physician, drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

·    Dress properly - Wear outer clothing that shields the wind and sun from your skin. Cold and windy air causes a wind-chill effect that is much colder and more dangerous than the outside air temperature.

·    Avoid alcohol - Despite what many people believe, alcohol does not warm you up. Alcohol actually causes your body to lose heat, in addition to contributing to dehydration.

·    Be prepared - When traveling by car, keep extra socks, blankets, water and snacks on hand in case a mechanical problem, storm or empty gas tank leaves you stranded.

·    Inquire about your meds - Ask your physician or pharmacist if any of the medications you take can make you more susceptible to a cold-weather illness.

·    Eat light - A snack before going out in the cold is better than a heavy meal, which requires a large blood flow to the gastrointestinal system to aid in digestion. The digestive process may prevent warm blood from circulating to your fingers and toes. Save the heavier meal for when you are safely back inside.

By: Shane Stuller

---