Heed the warning signs of cold, hypothermia

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, January 18, 2008

Lake Region Hospital, in association with the Fergus Falls Medical Group, reminds area residents to be aware of the possibility of hypothermia — often experienced when there are falling temperatures. People who are most likely to experience problems with low body temperatures are the very old and the very young.

Additionally, those with impaired judgment from Alzheimer’s, mental illnesses or under the influence of alcohol or drugs are at greater risk.

“Initially, people can be observed to shiver, appear tired or complain of numbness in hands or feet,” said Melanie Dethlefsen, LRH Emergency Department RN.

People with mild hypothermia should be moved to a warmer environment and have any wet clothing removed. They also should wrap themselves in blankets, take warm (never hot) baths and drink warm beverages (not alcohol).

“As a person’s body temperature further drops, you begin to see more severe symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, muscle stiffness, slowed breathing and slowed heart rate,” Dethlefsen said.

She said that shivering will actually stop as the body temperature drops further. The person with more severe symptoms also will require medical intervention; the emergency medical system should be accessed.

Dethlefsen said common sense is the best approach when it comes to living in Minnesota when cold temperatures prevail. As an example, she said that adverse exposure to the cold can be avoided when people wear the proper clothing.

Pitfalls to avoid include having inadequate food, spending too long of a time outdoors, or having young children or the elderly sleep in cold bedrooms.

“Even though the young and the elderly seem the most likely to suffer from hypothermia, teens and young adults are not immune to it,” LRH Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Michael Van Valkenberg said. “Athletes with little body fat and inadequate clothing may also be at risk.”