By SALINA POST
With wind chills dipping below zero across the area, hypothermia and frostbite pose an even greater risk for persons who are outside in the frigid weather blowing across the state.
READ: Winter storm warnings, advisories continue; wind chill advisories issued
Following is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Winter Weather webpage.
Hypothermia
What is hypothermia?
●Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature.
●Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
●While hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Who’s most at risk?
Victims of hypothermia are often:
●Older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
●Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
●People who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
●People who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
Frostbite
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a type of injury caused by freezing. It leads to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, usually extremities such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation (removing the affected body part).
Who’s most at risk?
You may have a greater chance of developing frostbite if you
●have poor blood circulation
●are not properly dressed for extremely cold temperatures
Following is an infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Winter Weather webpage about how to avoid, spot, and treat hypothermia and frostbite.
