Has anyone out there noticed that this has been one of the most brutal winters in recent memory? I bet most of you have experienced the very cold temperatures, especially those that have had to go outside and walk their dogs in the early mornings. Brrr!!!
Personally, I have a “No running outside when the temperatures are below 25 degrees” and this is based on a lecture I saw in medical school being given by a vascular surgeon. The lecturer was showing slide after slide of various amputations. The one very memorable slide was that of a necrotic penis that had to be removed from a guy that went out running for 2 hours when the temperature was 24 degrees. He did not realize that his penis was not adequately thermal-protected and he developed frostbite of his penis requiring removal. The sight of that dead penis sitting in a tray after removal scarred me for life and produced the “No running outside when the temperatures are below 25 degrees” rule for me.
Damage from being exposed to very low temperatures can include:
- Heart problems: Hypothermia can cause an irregular heartbeat, which can lead to heart failure and cardiac arrest.
- Brain problems: Hypothermia can cause confusion, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations. It can also impair memory and learning capacity.
- Kidney problems: Hypothermia can lead to kidney failure.
- Liver problems: Hypothermia can cause liver damage.
- Breathing problems: Hypothermia can cause breathing to slow down or become dangerously shallow.
- Muscle problems: Hypothermia can cause muscle tissue to break down.
- Bleeding problems: Hypothermia can cause bleeding disorders.
- Frostbite: Hypothermia can cause frostbite, which is the freezing of body tissue.
Although the most updated forecasts are not showing any “polar vortex” events coming soon, please beware of scenarios that could expose you to hypothermia. Stay warm!
We all need that warm sunshine…especially on our shoulders (lead in to a John Denver hit…may he rest in peace)
