Hypothermia in Cold Weather

I recently went on a business trip to Minneapolis. Temperatures got down to negative territory but mostly hovered around 0 degrees to 20 degrees. I walked along the street while most people were in the skyway system which are indoor walkways that connect the buildings. When I looked out of my hotel, it looked like no one was in the city because hardly anyone was outside. That’s because they were inside and used the walkways to get around.

I didn’t think it was that cold but as I was walking, several times I got lost. I tried to find my way but I kept walking and getting colder and colder. I realize now that it was dangerous to walk around when I didn’t know my way around especially at night. I could have gotten hypothermia especially because I am older. I looked on the NIH (National Institutes of Health) website. Here is what I found posted below. I posted this because many people get hypothermia and it can happen fast:

Hypothermia—a dangerous drop in core body temperature—can occur when it is cold inside or outside and the body is unable to produce the heat it needs to function. Even a relatively short exposure to cold conditions can result in hypothermia. Older adults are especially vulnerable to hypothermia because their bodies’ response to cold can be diminished by chronic medical conditions and by the use of some medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies. For an older person, a body temperature of 95°F or lower can cause many health problems, such as heart rhythm disturbances, kidney problems, liver damage, or worse.

Warning signs of hypothermia include slowed or slurred speech; sleepiness or confusion; shivering or stiffness in the arms and legs; poor control over body movements; slow reactions, a weak pulse, or a core body temperature of 95 degrees F or lower. If you think someone has the warning signs for hypothermia, call 9-1-1 right away and try to move the person to a warmer place.
To help older adults understand the risks, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has some tips to avoid some of the dangers and prevent hypothermia:

When going outside in the cold, wear a hat, scarf, and gloves or mittens to prevent loss of body heat through your head and hands. Wear several layers of loose clothing to help trap warm air between the layers.
If possible, let others know when you’re planning to spend time outdoors and carry a fully charged cellphone.
Make sure your home is warm enough. Set your thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees F can lead to hypothermia in older adults.
To stay warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers. Use a blanket or afghan to keep your legs and shoulders warm and wear a hat or cap indoors.
States, territories, tribes, and tribal organizations may be able to help eligible households pay for home heating and cooling costs. People interested in applying for assistance should contact their local or state social services agency.

The NIA has free information about hypothermia in a brochure “Stay Safe in Cold Weather,” You can find this and other free publications on healthy aging on the NIA website or order free copies by calling NIA’s toll-free number 1-800-222-2225.