The temperature in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, 12:00 a.m, is very low at -1 degree Celsius with light snow. Thus, health officials are warning the residents of the risk of hypothermia and frostbite as the The Weather Channel forecasts that this bone-chilling temperature will last for days.
Hypothermia is a condition in which the temperature of the body becomes lower than the normal 35 degrees Celsius. It usually happens when the body is exposed to cold and other conditions which cause the body to lose heat. Signs of hypothermia include shivering and mental confusion.
Frostbite, on the other hand, is a condition in which the skin and other tissues freeze due to extreme cold which causes poor blood circulation in the body. It usually happens to parts of the body that are exposed and farthest from the heart.
According to the Associated Press, the Illinois Department of Public Health advises that indoor temperatures should be set to 65 degrees. During this season, infants and older people should be regularly checked to ensure that they get enough heat.
Exposed areas of the human body can get frostbite which is caused by bitter cold. Not only does it leave the skin with white patches, frostbite also results in making the skin feel stiff and numb. When one gets frostbite, it is recommended that the area affected should be gradually applied with something warm. Moreover, there is also a need to call for medical assistance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has tips to help reduce the risk of hypothermia by recognizing the warning signs. Among adults, these include drowsiness, slurred speech, memory loss, fumbling hands, confusion, exhaustion, and shivering. Infants show fewer warning signs which include very low energy and skin that is cold and bright red.
A person that has severe hypothermia may seem to be unconscious, have no pulse, or doesn't show signs of breathing. Handle the victim gently and ask for emergency help immediately. Perform CPR until the victim responds or medical help is already available.
CDC statistics showed that that 16,911 deaths in the U.S were linked to exposure to extreme cold from 1999 to 2011. About 67 percent of the casualties were male.
