Extreme Cold and Heat

Hypothermia, a condition that occurs when the body temperature falls below the normal range, is caused by a low surrounding temperature and can lead to death. Freezing temperatures cause frostbites, whereby ice forms in the body tissue and destroy it. The risk of frostbite is increased by windy condition.

CAUSES OF HYPOTHERMIA. Hypothermia (low temperature) occurs when the body temperature falls below the normal range, and can lead to death. The average temperature of a healthy adult is 96.8-100.4 F. Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature falls below 95 F. Survival is unlikely, but not unheard of, below 79 F.

There are a number of factors that heighten the risk of becoming hypothermic. These include:

• Age
• The elderly are at greater risk from hypothermia: low mobility combined with poor circulation, a reduced sensitivity to the cold, and greater potential for slips and falls means that an elderly person may develop hypothermia in temperatures that a healthy younger adult could tolerate. The very young are also at an increased risk because the mechanisms for controlling their own body temperature are poorly developed. They may look healthy but their skin will feel cold and their behavior may be abnormally quite or listess.
• Exposure to wind or rain
• Immersion in cold water
• Lack of food
• Alcohol and drugs

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA

Early signs:

• Shivering
• Pale, cold skin
• Cold environment
• Presence of an increased risk factor as listed left

As the condition gets worse:

• No shivering, even though the person is cold
• Increasing drowsiness
• Irrational behavior and confusion
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Slow, weak pulse

TREATMENT

If the person is unconscious

Open the airway and check for breathing. Be prepared to resuscitate if necessary. Hypothermia slows the body's functions down before stopping the heart, and it is therefore not uncommon to hear of people with hypothermia being successfully resuscitated some time after the heart has stopped.

If the person is conscious

1. Improve the surroundings. If the person is outdoors, bring them in or take them to shelter. If the person is indoors, warm the room but do not overheat (77 F).
2. Replace wet clothes with dry warm clothing if possible.
3. A healthy adult may be best rewarmed by soaking in a warm bath of 104 F. Do not use this technique on an elderly person or child.
4. Wrap the person up and give high energy foods and warm drinks. Remember that heat is lost through the extremities so cover the head, hands, and feet.
5. Check for other conditions or injuries that may have occurred. The confusion caused by hypothermia may mask other signs and symptoms. If there is no improvement, or the level of consciousness deteriorates, seek medical advice. For young children and elderly, who are particularly vulnerable, always seek medical attention if you suspect hypothermia. Warm them slowly.

FROSTBITE

Frostbite occurs in freezing conditions and is the freezing of body tissue at the extremities, most commonly the fingers, toes, and earlobes. If it is not treated early enough it can lead to gangrene and to amputation. Frostbitten skin is highly susceptible to infection.

Treatment

1. Remove tight items such as rings and watches that may further damage circulation. Warm the injured part slowly by holding it.
2. Get the person to shelter. Do not attempt to thaw the injured part if it is liable to be re-exposed to cold, because this will do more damage.
3. Handle the injured part carefully because the tissue is very fragile and may be easily damaged. Do not apply direct heat, rub, or allow the injured person to apply pressure to  (for example, do not let the person walk if the toes are affected). Place the injured part in warm water if available. Otherwise continue warning the injured part with your hand.
4. Pat dry and then cover with a light gauze bandage. Remember that the injured part will be exceptionally painful for the victim.
5. Raise the injured part to help alleviate pain and swelling and allow the injured person to take acetaminophen if able to.
6. Watch for hypothermia and treat as appropriate.
7. Seek medical attention particularly if the site of the freezing does not regain a healthy color or is black.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FROSTBITE

• Freezing environment

Early signs

• Tingling
• Pale skin

As the condition gets worse

• Numbness
• Hardening of the skin
• Skin color changes to white through blue and finally black

When thawed, the injured part is extremely painful and there may be blistering  of the skin.

EXTREME HEAT

Heat exhaustion is a condition resulting from the loss of fluid and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heatstroke generally occurs rapidly when the brain's temperature regulator fails to work effectively. This tends to occur when a person has been in a very hot environment or has a fever caused by a condition such as malaria.

HEAT EXHAUSTION. Heat exhaustion is very similar to shock in that fluid is being lost from the body. It most commonly occurs when a person has been exercising and not replacing fluid content: cyclist and joggers are common sufferers from the condition.

TREATMENT

1. Lay the victim down in a cool place and raise her legs.
2. If the victim is conscious give sips of weak salt solution (one teaspoon to one liter of water).
3. Maintain a check on the victim's consciousness level. If deteriorates, place the victim in the recovery position and call for emergency assistance.
4. If the victim's condition improves rapidly advise her to see a doctor.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION

• History of exertion
• Pale, cold, and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Fast, shallow breathing
• Nausea
• Dizziness and disorientation
• Lapse into consciousness

HEATSTROKE. In heatstroke, the body becomes very hot very quick and this condition can be fatal. The signs and symptoms are very similar to those of a stroke.

TREATMENT

1. Check airway and breathing. If unconscious, turn the victim into the recovery position. Be prepared to resuscitate if necessary.
2. If the victim is conscious, move to a cool environment. If this is impossible or the victim is unconscious, try to cool the environment (use fans, open doors, and keep crowd away).
3. Call for emergency assistance and reassure the victim if he or she is conscious.
4. Remove outer clothes and wrap the victim in a cold, wet sheet. Keep it wet. Continue the cooling process. If the body temperature drops, replace the wet sheet with a dry one
5. \Continue to monitor the victim while you wait for help.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Hot, flushed, and dry skin
• Slow, full, and bounding pulse
• Noisy breathing
• High body temperature
• Headache
• Disorientation
• Lapse into unconsciousness

SLIP SLAP SLOP

The three simple rules for prevention of sun-related problems are:

Slip into a T-shirt

Slap on a hat

Slop on the sunscream

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Written by Unknown

Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.