The combination of bitterly cold temperatures and snow on the ground can present some health challenges for people in our region.
The forecast over the next few days will keep temperatures in the 30s. That means the 8 inches of snow that fell in the County on Monday will stick around for a while. On Wednesday, Montgomery County extended its Cold Emergency alert to continue until Friday at 1 p.m. The alert said residents should be prepared for wind chills to be below 20 degrees. These dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes. There also is a danger of experiencing hypothermia. The alert urges residents to stay indoors if possible.
More Emergency Room Visits
When weather conditions like this exist, hospitals around the region tend to see an increase in Emergency Room visits. Dr. Neil Roy is a Chief Medical Officer with Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center. He is an emergency medical physician.
“We see injuries from people who are playing in the snow. Sometimes injuries occur when people are just walking, and they slip and fall on the ice. Then, we also see patients who were shoveling snow. They haven’t done that in a year, overdo it and have a heart attack,” Roy said.
“Make sure that if you’re feeling tightness, heaviness, indigestion, anything along those lines, and I say, from your jaw down to your hip. If you feel any discomfort that’s new that you’ve not experienced before, that could be a coronary event, and that should be addressed right away,” Roy explained.
“We also see patients who are unable to get with their family doctors because their doctors’ offices are closed or they can’t travel. In those cases, some of these patients who have underlying medical conditions get markedly worse. They may miss their doses of medicine, or can’t pick up their prescriptions,” Roy added.
Coping with the Cold and Preventing Injuries
Montgomery County’s Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis had some practical advice for people heading out into the elements. She said it is important for people to dress in layers, and watch for any icy patches.
Davis said anyone who shovels his or her driveway or street should take breaks, and avoid overexertion to prevent injuries.
It is fairly common for people to injure their backs when they are lifting heavy snow. Davis recommends people lift snow by bending their knees and not just use their back to lift.
“Listen to your body. For a large snow like this, try to clear driveways in shifts rather than all at once,” Davis said.
Stay Hydrated
Davis and Roy both recommend people stay hydrated when they are outside in the cold.
“When people are wearing several layers, we get dehydrated fairly easily, so the importance of lots of liquids and hydration is really important,” Roy said.
Signs of Frostbite and Hypothermia
People who stay out in the cold for too long are at risk of developing frostbite or hypothermia. The signs of frostbite include skin color that may appear red, pale, white, grayish-yellow or waxy. A person’s skin also may feel numb, achy, or like pins and needles.
People experiencing hypothermia may experience uncontrollable shivering, slow or slurred speech, slow or shallow breathing, confusion, drowsiness, or impaired judgment.
Davis said if a person is experiencing signs of hypothermia, he or she should get help immediately. She also said people who drink alcohol or use drugs might not know they are experiencing hypothermia.
“Alcohol makes you feel warm, but actually lowers core body temperature. That makes you feel warmer than you actually are. It also can impair judgment and that makes it harder to recognize the signs of frostbite or hypothermia,” Davis said.
Children and the Elderly
The snow, cold, and ice can especially be dangerous for young children and the elderly.
“Parents should be careful with their children especially under the age of two. Their bodies don’t thermoregulate as well. They’re not really as atuned to being too cold, so once you get below two years of age, you want to be careful,” Roy said.
He said parents with older children can stay outside longer. However, he recommends parents who take their children sledding stay far away from where vehicles might travel.
“Every year, someone is sledding in an area that has more traffic than expected. Then he or she gets into an accident and gets hurt,” Roy said.
Elderly people also have difficulty regulating their own temperature. They also should dress in layers and limit their exposure to the cold.
Staying Warm and Safe
While it is important that people keep themselves warm especially in their homes, Davis cautions against using generators inside their residences. People also should not turn on grills and stoves indoors for prolonged periods of time. She said each of these items could trigger carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, and people may not realize they are in danger until it is too late.
Davis said while many people can get around in this weather, others are home-bound. She recommends people check on their neighbors, especially older adults, people with health conditions, and people who live alone.
Despite all of these warnings, Davis said if people can get out in the snow, they should try to have fun.
“Playing in the snow is good for our mental and physical health, so don’t forget to take time to enjoy it,” Davis said.
Raynaud’s Syndrome
However, one condition often triggered by the cold is Raynaud’s Syndrome. People with this auto-immune disorder will experience numbness in their fingertips and toes. Their fingers and toes will often turn white. People with Raynaud’s Syndrome may want to limit their exposure to the cold. Once they get inside, it is important for them to get warm quickly.
