Protecting the body from colder weather
Exposure to winter weather may adversely impact some individuals.
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can lead to heat loss, hypothermia and frostbite, according to a news report from the American Heart Association. However, winter weather can also affect the organs, particularly among younger children, older adults and patients with cardiovascular disease. For instance, the body responds to the cold by constricting the blood vessels to prevent heat loss and preserve the vital organs. As a result, blood pressure rises and the blood can thicken, increasing the risk of clots, heart attack or stroke. Constricted blood vessels may also impair cognitive function. Research has indicated that the risks of cardiovascular disease-related mortality, heart failure and hospitalizations are higher during colder and hotter months.
The AHA News article also warned that patients with asthma, chronic lung disease and other respiratory diseases may be at higher risk during colder temperatures because of the dry air — which can irritate the airways and lead to inflammation, coughing, shortness of breath and a burning sensation in the chest. Further, the dry air associated with winter weather can reduce the protective effects of mucous membranes lining the nose, mouth and throat, providing cold-tolerant viruses and bacteria opportunities to infect individuals.
The experts cited in the AHA News article advised individuals to pay attention to the warning signs of hypothermia, including shivering, confusion, slurred speech, slowed breathing, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion, a swollen face and pale skin; and frostbite, such as numbness, pale or waxy skin, redness and pain. Practices such as wearing proper winter clothing — like a hat, neck wrap, jacket and gloves — jumping up and down to generate thermal energy but avoiding excessive physical exertion, refraining from drinking alcohol and smoking as well as sheltering behind an object that blocks the wind can help individuals stay warmer when venturing out in the cold.
Read more: AHA News
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