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How cold affect the body

Avoid and reduce cold exposure

Vasoconstriction and loss of dexterity can happen as a result of cold exposure

Shivering can happen

Shivering produces heat and takes a lot of energy to happen

Hypoglycemic and malnourished people have a hard job doing that

If you shiver and have vasoconstriction for too long, you can acquire a cold injury

Physical activity increases temperature

Heat loss is 25x faster with wet compared to dry clothes

86-90 degrees is when shivering stops

37C / 98.6F is normal body temperature

Having proper hydration, nutrition, avoiding substances, and weaning the right clothes reduces the risk of cold injury

Main heat loss occurs from the head

Drugs and alcohol can hinder your ability to shiver

Heat loss from the body

Lack of food limits ability to produce heat

Body heat loss occurs through

Radiation causes 65% of bodily heat loss

Respiration; losing heat when exhaling

Evaporation; 20% of bodily heat loss (sweating and breathing)

Convection

conduction

The most susceptible to cold injuries

Physically unfit

Dehydration reduces blood flow to the skin

Leaner people loss heat faster

Older adults

Alcohol dilates blood vessels and lowers heat

Nicotine reduces blood flow to the skin

Inadequate nutrition, illness, injury compromise body response

Previous cold injury

Minimizing Cold Injuries

Eat and drink properly

Limit inactivity when outside

Wear layered clothing

Abstain from substances

Chilblain

Nonfreezing cold injury (the skin wont freeze)

Painful inflammation to the blood vessels on the skin from exposure to cold but non freezing air

Clears in 1-3 weeks

Treat with lotions and covering hands

Don’t usually result in serious injury

Trench foot

Happens when the feet are exposed to wet and cold for over 12 hours

Tingling or itching sensation

Pain, swelling, blisters, blotchy, numbness prickly or have feeling in the foot

Foot may be red, dry and painful after it becomes warm

Air dry and elevate feet clean and dry feet, don't wear socks to bed

Stages of frostbite

Frostbite is an injury that occurs because of freezing and leads to numbness

Occurs in below freezing temperatures

Usually affects face, fingers, hands, feet, and toes

Frostbite is like a burn; it stays with you

Risks

Not properly dressed

People without good blood circulation

Symptoms

Whenever feel redness, pain, or numbness, get out of the cold

Skin that feels usually firm and waxy

Discolored skin

How to treat

Determine if its just frostbite or hypothermia (discolored skin)

Put area over luke warm water

Warm with body heat

Do not rub or massage affected area

Dont use a heating pad, heat lamp or other intense heating sources because warming up too fast is dangerous

Rewarming takes like 20-30 minutes

Don't break blisters or take substances

Hypothermia

It is a life therthening condition

Abnormally low body temperature

Happens because of prolonged cold exposure

When temperature falls below 95 degrees celsius, and death at 80 degrees fareinheit

Can happen during water immersion, with wet clothes, or from cold wind

Even if there are no signs of life, start CPR because they because they might not be dead

The old and very young age are most susceptible

Risks Factors

Older adult

Inadequate food, clothing, or heating

Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms

People who have been outside a long time

People who use substances

Vulnerable people are

Hunters, bikers, careless drinkers, etc

Car accident

Disadvantaged urban dwellers

Can sometimes be second cause of death

Causes altered state of wind

Very young and old, thinner people

Signs and symptoms

Shivering, exhaustion

When shivering stops, it is usually not a good thing

Confusion and numbness

Memory los, slowed speech and drowsiness

Cool abdomen (cooler than your hand)

Low body temperature

Cold exposure can severely impact the body, leading to conditions such as shivering, hypothermia, and frostbite. Key factors to avoid cold injuries include proper hydration, nutrition, and appropriate clothing. The body loses heat primarily through radiation, conduction, evaporation, and respiration. Vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those undernourished, are at a higher risk. Preventative measures involve layered clothing, staying active, and abstaining from alcohol and drugs to maintain body heat.