KYIV. UkraineGate .12 . December .2022 | Society .
Prolonged exposure to the cold, especially at sub-zero temperatures, causes hypothermia, as a result of which a person may die.
Details
Hypothermia or hypothermia is a pathological condition of the body in which the body temperature drops below 36 degrees, and the body cannot function normally and maintain metabolism. It is caused by prolonged exposure to low temperatures, under the action of which the body begins to lose heat faster than it is produced by the body.
The doctor notes that hunger and fatigue exacerbate the symptoms of hypothermia. And critical hypothermia of the body occurs when the body temperature drops below 27 degrees, this leads to cardiac arrest and death.
There are 3 degrees of hypothermia:
Light – body temperature 34-32 degrees. Trembling appears (heat release due to muscle activity), blood vessels narrow, skin turns pale. At this stage, it is easy to get frostbite. Disorientation in space may occur.
The average temperature is 32-30 degrees. The heart slows down, the heart rate decreases accordingly in order to keep warm and protect the brain. The skin becomes cold and acquires a characteristic marble shade. Symptoms of impaired consciousness progress: severe drowsiness, impaired speech, sometimes hallucinations begin.
Severe degree – body temperature below 27 degrees. A person loses consciousness, limbs immobilize, severe frostbite occurs. The pulse can be felt on the carotid artery, breathing is intermittent. At this stage, the pupils do not react to light, the heart may stop.
Citation
“High humidity, windy and frosty weather, as well as wet or wet clothes and shoes increase the risk of hypothermia,” Hodzinska said.
The following categories of people are most exposed to hypothermia:
– sedentary / low-mobility persons: newborns and children under 5 years of age, the elderly, persons who are in a limited space for a long time;
– persons who are under the influence of alcohol and narcotic substances;
– persons under the influence of drugs that suppress consciousness;
– persons with chronic diseases (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome)
Symptoms of hypothermia develop gradually:
-Tremor;
– redness of bright skin of the face and hands;
– fuzzy speech;
– shallow breathing;
– weak pulse;
-dizziness;
– drowsiness and weakness.
“In infants and young children, on the contrary, there may be crying and hysteria, cold to the touch, but bright red cheeks, shallow breathing, prolonged sleep, from which it is difficult to wake the child. Dangerous signs of hypothermia, when a person stops trembling, he becomes warm, feels pleasantly dizzy, I want to lie down and relax,” the doctor said.
The main loss of heat occurs through the skin and breathing. Up to 70% of heat loss from the human body occurs through the head, so the doctor recommends wearing hats, as well as covering your hands to reduce the area of the open surface of the body.
“It is worth taking care of comfortable clothes that will not hinder movement. It is recommended to have about 3 layers of clothing, but that there is space and air between them. The more air, the warmer it will be. As a bottom layer of clothing can be cotton or thermal underwear. The number of layers of clothing may vary depending on the activity: the more active the person, the fewer layers of clothing required. After all, sweating will cause moisturizing clothes and increase hypothermia in the end,” the doctor said.
“Proper” winter clothing consists of three layers:
– underwear (underwear, tights, socks, thermal underwear);
– middle layer (sweater, jacket, etc.);
– outerwear (jacket, pants, scarf, hat, gloves).
“Before going outside, be sure to eat, if possible, warm and high-calorie food. Bring a thermos with hot drinks. Do not wear metal jewelry, as they cool very quickly and their contact with the skin can lead to frostbite in certain areas or cold injuries. Do not stand in one place for a long time, movements will help speed up blood circulation, and therefore you will not freeze. Feel a burning sensation on the skin – look for where to warm up. Do not drink alcohol, as it creates the illusion of heat and at the same time leads to a huge loss of it,” advises Hodzinska.
First aid for hypothermia is to create conditions under which the body can warm up:
Move a person, if possible, to a warm room;
If there are wet clothes, you need to remove them, special attention should be paid to shoes;
Cover with a warm blanket, put a heating pad, but it should not touch directly to the body, so as not to cause skin burns, it must be wrapped with a cloth. You can also warm your body or organize another heat source;
Give warm drink and food as desired;
If it is possible to organize a warm bath or shower, the temperature of the water should be increased gradually. Initially, so that it is barely warm, comfortable for a face with hypothermia. Gradually bring to 38-40 degrees. A sharp change in temperature increases blood circulation, and after hypothermia it destroys blood vessels.
“It is strictly forbidden to try to quickly warm a person with hypothermia. It is necessary to act calmly and carefully. Do not rub supercooled areas of the skin with force, use a heating lamp or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator directly on supercooled skin to warm it, the affected areas become numb and can be easily burned. With severe hypothermia, first aid is not enough. You need to call a doctor or take a person to the hospital,” the doctor adds.
Recall
The Ministry of Health gave advice to Ukrainians on how to act if the doctor prescribed inhalation to the child, and there is no electricity at home.
