While the idea of soups, hearty meals and warm clothes might make you excited for winter, the risk for hypothermia remains high.<\/p>\n
However, according to Dr Robyn Holgate, ER24\u2019s chief medical officer, you don\u2019t have to be freezing for hypothermia to develop.<\/p>
There are many ways we can lose heat from the body.<\/p>\n
What is hypothermia?<\/strong><\/p> Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat faster than the body can produce it.<\/p>\n How does hypothermia occur?<\/strong><\/p>\n Accidental hypothermia:<\/em> This is the unintentional drop in body temperature to less than 35\u00b0C when the body\u2019s usual responses to cold begin to fail. Examples of those affected: unexpected exposure or someone that is inadequately prepared, for example, the elderly or homeless, someone caught in a winter storm, or even an outdoor sports enthusiast.<\/p>\n Intentional:<\/em> post-trauma or after a cardiac arrest, which we generally call therapeutic hypothermia.<\/p>\n There are many ways where we can lose heat from the body, for example:<\/strong><\/p>\n It is important to note that hypothermia is not just having a low body temperature or someone who is shivering.<\/p>\n Heat loss in cold, wet weather increases the risk for hypothermia and injury.<\/p>\n Heat loss can occur in warm temperatures through conduction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Exciting campaign to encourage new blood donors<\/a><\/p>\n ER24 safety tips for flash floods<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swimming or sitting in cool or cold water can cause the body to lose heat very quickly and increase the risk for hypothermia.<\/p>\n According to Dr Holgate, there are different stages of hypothermia.<\/p>\n She explained that \u201cmedically we classify hypothermia as a temperature less than 35 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n \u201cOur normal body temp is in the region of about 37 degrees.\u201d<\/p>\n Mild hypothermia<\/strong> is the initial phase to stop the cold where you might shiver, have a fast heartbeat, have rapid breathing and blood vessel constriction occurs.<\/p>\n Moderate hypothermia<\/strong> is where your body experiences a decreased heart rate, a changed\u00a0level of consciousness, decreased respiratory rate, dilated pupils and decreased gag reflex.<\/p>\n Severe hypothermia<\/strong> is when there is usually no perceptible breathing, the person is in a coma, they have non-reactive pupils, they don\u2019t pass any urine, and they sometimes present with pulmonary oedema.<\/p>\n Treatment for hypothermia varies according to severity.<\/p>\n Here are some first aid guidelines for the treatment of hypothermia:<\/strong><\/p>\n Within the emergency medical service (EMS), paramedics use a rescue blanket, as well as a standard blanket to warm patients up.<\/p>\n The rescue blanket can prevent heat loss through convection or radiation.<\/p>\n The standard blanket can prevent heat loss through conduction and convention.<\/p>\n Passive or active rewarming techniques may be used depending on the severity of hypothermia.<\/p>\n These methods may include, blood rewarming, warm intravenous fluid use, airway rewarming and irrigation techniques.<\/p>\n Seniors, children and the homeless are at significant risk of developing hypothermia this winter.<\/p>\n Try and remain indoors and keep yourself warm.<\/p>\n If a patient shows symptoms of mild hypothermia make sure they stay inside and keep warm so that the person\u2019s condition does not worsen.<\/p>\n Prevention remains better than cure.<\/p>\n Medical attention must be sought immediately if someone appears to be suffering from hypothermia and is becoming lethargic and confused.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong> or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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