Blustery cold January weather poses a threat for hypothermia if someone is exposed to cold weather or submerged in a cold body of water. Harlan EMS Director D.W. Baker reported one recent ambulance transport to the Harlan ARH Hospital Emergency Room for hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 degree Fahrenheit. Hypothermia occurs as your body temperature passes below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

On the Mayo Clinic Web page it is reported hypothermia has occurred when your heart, nervous system and other organs fail to work properly. If you leave this condition untreated, hypothermia eventually leads to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and to death.

Clover Fork Clinic Administrator Britt Lewis said, “I am not aware of any cases of hypothermia being treated at the Clover Fork Clinic during this winter season. Everyone should be aware of the dangers of hypothermia and take the threat of it seriously. Everyone should take every precaution during extremely cold weather to prevent it from occurring.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises adults and children to wear a hat, scarf or knit mask to cover their face and mouth, wear sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens (rather than gloves), water-resistant coat and shoes, and several layers of loose-fitting clothing. The CDC notes your outer clothing should be tightly woven and wind resistant. Inner clothing should be wool, silk or polypropylene to hold more body heat.

Staying dry is also a big concern said the CDC. Wet clothing will chill the body rapidly. Perspiration will increase heat loss also, so you should remove extra layers of clothing wherever you feel too warm. The CDC cautions against getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials will cause the body to rapidly lose heat from the body.

LifeCare Ambulance Service said as of yet they have had no hypothermia transports.

“People sometimes forget about wind chill temperature,” LifeCare dispatcher Jim Martin said. “People will hear the outside temperature and won’t take into account how the wind can lower the temperature even more allowing hypothermia to occur if they are not dressed properly.”

The CDC recommends eating well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer. They also recommend not drinking alcoholic beverages because they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly.

“Hypothermia is very dangerous and affects people of all ages. Harlan Physician Abdulkader Dahhan said. “Rapid treatment is essential if hypothermia is suspected. People with preexisting conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions or kidney failure are at a greater risk. If you find someone you suspect has hypothermia you should heat them immediately with warm drinks and blankets. You should check their mental state and take them to the nearest doctor’s office or medical facility as soon as possible.

The CDC states everyone should remember infants lose body heat more easily than adults and should not be exposed to extremely cold weather. Neighbors should check on elderly adults frequently to make sure their homes are heated.

Warning signs for hypothermia listed by the CDC are shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, bright red, cold skin, and very low energy. The CDC advises if you experience these symptoms you should get medical attention immediately.

If you should become stranded in cold weather, the CDC recommends you wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets or newspapers, stay awake, run the motor of your car (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air, make sure snow is not blocking your exhaust pipe on your car, keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and help you stay warmer and don’t eat unmelted snow because it will lower your body temperature.

For more information regarding hypothermia you may call the CDC toll free number at 1-800-232-4636, 24 hours per day or visit their Web site at cdcinfo@cdc.gov.