With wind chills expected to hover below zero degrees in the next couple of days, emergency rooms are ready to treat patients for cold-weather ailments, and experts say a little preparation can keep you out of the ER.
Dr. John Kahler at the University of Michigan says prolonged exposure to the elements can cause serious health problems and that it’s important to protect the most vulnerable parts of the body.
"The feet often are a concern because people can’t visualize their toes when they’re wearing boots or socks so people need to pay attention if they’re out for a long time, are their feet painful, are they numb.
Numbness can indicate frostbite and Kahler says you should seek immediate medical care.
Hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, is also a concern, especially for the very young and elderly.
“Children often ignore warning signs, the elderly folks that have various health problems, that have vascular disease or on a variety of medications," Dr. Kahler said.
Dr. Kahler says the smartest preventive measure in extreme cold is to dress properly. He says the first layer should be made of a material that wicks away sweat and moisture.
“A base layer that is non-cotton, preferably a synthetic or wool, an insulating layer of some sort that keeps you warm, and then some sort of wind or water barrier on the outside, whether it’s a light rain shell or vest, something that’ll block wind or moisture," he said.
