Like most people, you occasionally experience cold throughout the winter. You may be surprised that even being chilly can make you quite ill. Older people can lose body heat more quickly than when they were younger. In these circumstances, scheduling a doctor home visit can be essential.
Aging-related changes to your body can make it more challenging to feel cold. Before an older person even realizes what is occurring, an intense chill might develop into a severe issue. Hypothermia is the medical term for this terrible issue.
What Is Meant By Hypothermia?
When your body temperature drops significantly, you have hypothermia. A human body temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower can result in several health issues for older people, including a heart attack, kidney issues, liver damage, or even worse.
Hypothermia can result from being outside or in a freezing place. Keep an eye on how cold it is where you are, and try to avoid going there. You can take precautions to lessen your risk of developing hypothermia.
Keep the Elderly in A Warm Place
Hypothermia can result from residing in a cold home, apartment, or other structure. If the rooms are not warm enough, hypothermia can strike a nursing home or other facility residents. If you know someone who is in a facility for groups, be aware of the temperature inside and whether they are clothed warmly enough.
Sick people may have particular difficulty staying warm. Wear warm clothing and avoid letting it become too cold inside. Your apartment or home might not be warm enough to keep you safe even if you keep it between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a particular issue if you live alone because no one else will feel how cold the house is or notice if you are showing signs of hypothermia.
Here are some essential tips for keeping warm while you are inside:
- At a minimum, set your thermostat to 68–70 degrees Fahrenheit. Close up any unused spaces in your home to reduce heating costs. Close the vents, lock the doors, and keep the basement door closed in these spaces. To prevent draughts, place a towel rolled in front of each door.
- Verify that your windows aren’t causing your home to lose heat. Close the blinds and the curtains. You may use weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out of gaps around the windows.
- Even if you plan on spending the day inside, dress warmly. Give your legs a blanket covering. Put on socks and pajamas.
- Wear long underwear below your pajamas, and wear extra covers before bed. Put on a hat or cap.
- Make sure you consume enough calories to maintain your weight. You might have less subcutaneous fat if you don’t eat healthily. Your body fat keeps you warm.
- When drinking alcohol, do so in moderation. Alcoholic beverages can cause you to become colder.
- In frigid weather, ask relatives or friends to check on you. Stay with a friend or relative if you are without heat due to a power outage.
You can use a heater to heat your space. However, sure space heaters can cause fires, while others can poison you with carbon monoxide.
Diseases, Treatments, and Cold Weather
Some disorders may compromise your body’s ability to maintain heat.
- It may be challenging to keep your body temperature regular if you have thyroid issues.
- Diabetes can prevent warm blood from flowing normally.
- Putting on additional clothing, using a blanket, or leaving the cold might be challenging for those with Parkinson’s disease and arthritis.
- A person with memory loss can go outside without the appropriate attire.
Discuss your health issues and ways to avoid hypothermia with your doctor or schedule a doctor home visit. Being inactive and using some medications affect body heat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines like various cold remedies.
An on call doctor Dubai can determine your medical condition and treat it accordingly. Ask your doctor whether any of the medications you take could alter how hot you are. Before stopping any medicine, discuss it during a doctor home visit. To keep safe in the cold, discuss the following issues with your doctor:
- Consult your doctor regarding hypothermia symptoms.
- Any medical conditions or medications that could make hypothermia a unique problem should be discussed with your doctor. Your doctor can offer advice on how to avoid hypothermia.
- Ask how to stay active even when it’s freezing outside.
Bundle Up On Windy, Cold Days
A strong wind can quickly lower your body temperature. For days that will be cold and windy, check the forecast. Try to remain indoors or in a warm location on those days.
Wear warm clothing and limit your time outside in the cold and wind if you must go out. More advice is offered below:
- If you must venture out on a chilly, drizzly, or cold day, dress appropriately.
- Layer your clothes loosely. You stay warm thanks to the air between the layers.
- Don a scarf and hat. When your head and neck are exposed, you lose significant body heat.
- If it’s snowing, put on a waterproof coat or jacket.
- If your clothing becomes moist or wet, you should immediately change.
The Final Words
Being joyful is the secret to being healthy. Older adults might easily experience depression and a sense of isolation at this time of year, thanks to the winter blues. Keep in touch with your senior relatives and give them something to do. Feeling lazy and lonely is normal. However, one should take time off and schedule family gatherings. The material mentioned above will also assist you in keeping your elderly loved ones safe this winter.
