Hypothermia and Physical Stress in Cold Weather

Cold Weather Healthy Hints for People and Pets

Hypothermia occurs when more heat escapes from your body than your body can produce. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia may include gradual loss of mental and physical abilities. Severe hypothermia is very dangerous and each year nearly 700 people in the United States die of hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to cold air, wet clothing or cold water temperatures are common causes. Severe hypothermia eventually leads to cardiac and respiratory failure, then death.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs to look for are shivering, which is the body's attempt to generate heat through muscle activity and the "-umbles":  stumbles, mumbles, fumbles or grumbles .

Even if hypothermia is not a risk, the physical stress to your body resulting from trying to keep vital organs warm during physical exertion in cold temperatures can also be dangerous.  Here are some general suggestions for being careful and keeping your family (and your pets) safe in very cold weather:

• Working hard shoveling snow, for example, can put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. Shoveling can also be dangerous if you have problems with balance or osteoporosis.
• Avoid alcohol before going into cold weather.  Not only does alcohol cloud judgment and slow reaction time, it adversely affects the body’s resistance to the cold.
• Burning wood, natural gas, kerosene and other fuels produces carbon monoxide. Unless fireplaces, wood and gas stoves and gas appliances are properly vented, cleaned and used, they can leak dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide.  Always vent these systems and put a smoke detector and battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in areas where you use fireplaces, wood stoves or kerosene heaters.
• Keep a fire extinguisher that can be used for a variety of types of fires, including chemical fires, in areas where you use fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene heaters.
• Winterize your car before winter and have the antifreeze, tires and windshield wipers checked and changed if necessary.
• Take a cell phone with you when driving in bad weather and let someone know where you're going and when you expect to arrive so they can call for help if you're late.
• Stock your car with basic emergency supplies — a first aid kit, blankets, extra warm clothes, a windshield scraper, rock salt, a bag of sand or cat litter (to pour on ice or snow in case your wheels get stuck in the ice or snow), shovel, booster cables, container of water and dried foods or nuts and a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Extreme cold can also cause frostbite — damage to the skin that can go all the way down to the bone. Frostbite usually affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. In very bad cases, it can result in loss of limbs. People with heart disease and other circulation problems are more likely to get frostbite. To protect against frostbite, cover as much of your skin as possible when you are in cold temperatures.
• If you must go outside, wear two or more thinner layers of loose-fitting clothing. Multiple layers are warmer than a single layer of thick clothing. Always wear a hat, gloves or mittens (mittens are warmer), a coat and boots and a scarf to cover your mouth and nose and protect your lungs from very cold air.  Since the majority of the body’s heat is lost through the top of the head, a warm hat is the single best way to stay warm.

• Pets also suffer in extreme cold weather. If you dog has a short hair coat, put on a sweater or coat for extended periods of outside time.  If you are taking your animal companion for walks outside, coat his/her paws with baby oil or spray them with cooking spray. If possible rinse the paws with warm water after your walk to be certain your dog does not ingest salt, antifreeze or other toxic substances by licking. Avoid using harsh chemicals that melt ice and then walking your dog through the chemical aftermath. Remember that elderly, overweight or ill dogs will find being outdoors in cold weather more physicality taxing, even if they are not aware of it.

More info on Hypothermia