The cold weather is here! While there are some who enjoy the winter outdoors and activities that come with the cold weather, there are others who may struggle to deal with the seasonal frigid temperature.
“People who have anemia, hypothyroidism, and circulatory issues may have difficulty with the cold,” says Lindsey Bradley, RN, trauma coordinator for the trauma program at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. “It’s important for these people to be mindful of the temperatures and wind chills to make sure that they’re warm, so they don’t run into serious health issues such as hypothermia or frostbite.”
Some great way to handle the cold include limiting your time outdoors, wearing several layers, and knowing the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia, which can include:
Hypothermia
- Shivering
- Slurred speech or mumbling
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Weak pulse
- Clumsiness or lack of coordination
- Drowsiness
- Confusion or memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
Frostbite
- Numbness
- Waxy appearance or white/grayish-yellow/black skin
- Blisters
- Cold skin
- Prickling feeling
- Muscle/joint stiffness
- Throbbing pain
Bradley also encourages people to be prepared while they are traveling in cold weather too.
“Car trouble can happen at any time. Whether it’s an accident or bad road conditions, there are times where you may be stuck waiting for help to arrive. Always make sure to have blankets, hand warmers, extra clothes, food, and water in your vehicle during the colder months,” she says.
To learn more, visit https://northernlighthealth.org/Our-System/Eastern-Maine-Medical-Center/Care-Centers-Services/Emergency-Care/Trauma-Program.