Each year, between 700 and 1,500 people in the United States fall victim to the chilling grip of hypothermia, a condition that arises from prolonged exposure to low temperatures. As winter approaches, understanding the health risks associated with colder weather becomes crucial. From frostbite to heart attacks, the drop in temperature can have significant impacts on the body. Dr. Rachel Amdur, an assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University, emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding these risks.
Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), causing a dangerous drop from the normal regulated temperature of around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) can also trigger frostbite, a skin condition that results from frozen skin and tissue. Additionally, Reynaud's syndrome, a condition exacerbated by cold weather, causes blood vessels in the extremities to constrict, turning them white or blue.
Cold weather is also linked to a heightened risk of heart attacks. This is likely due to the constriction of blood vessels, which raises blood pressure. Furthermore, it can aggravate existing illnesses such as eczema and respiratory conditions like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). During winter months, respiratory infections tend to soar, partly because cold weather can lower immune defenses against respiratory viruses.
There is a common misconception that being physically cold directly causes colds. However, respiratory viruses are not caused by cold weather itself but by other factors such as increased indoor time, which facilitates virus transmission. Emily Cooke, a health news writer based in London, United Kingdom, points out that cold weather can make individuals more susceptible to infections due to lower immune defenses.
Despite these risks, many people remain unaware of how cold weather can impact their health. Education and preparation can help mitigate these risks. Dr. Amdur suggests layering clothing to maintain body warmth and avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures as preventive measures against hypothermia and frostbite.
