Hypothermia can be real concern in winter

Hypothermia a real concern in winter

Hypothermia a real concern in winter

The cold weather in the Capital Region makes the risk for hypothermia a concern.

Hypothermia can occur when your body temperature falls below 95 degrees.

Symptoms may include chills, confusion and clumsiness. In more severe cases you could pass out.

“Hypothermia in a nutshell is a medical emergency when your body is losing heat faster than it can produce it,” said Dr. Andrew Yocum, an emergency medicine physician with the Cleveland Clinic. “That leads to dangerously low body temperatures at the extreme and cause dysfunction in all your organ systems and eventually lead to death if it’s severe enough.”

Anyone suffering from hypothermia should get indoors and take off wet clothing or boots. A blanket or a warm washcloth is a good way to reheat the body.

Hypothermia can be prevented by dressing in layers, wearing a hat and appropriate footwear.