With spring just around the corner, it can be easy to forget the risks associated with extreme weather. However, weather during the early spring months can be incredibly unpredictable. Spring weather can quickly change from a sunny day with temperature highs in the 50s to a snowstorm overnight. It is important to be aware of the weather during this time of seasonal change. Hypothermia is an extremely dangerous condition that can occur if you are unprepared for cold weather. Learn more about the risks of hypothermia and how to take steps to ensure you’re staying safe and healthy this spring. Visit AFC Urgent Care Linden for same-day illness and injury care in Linden, NJ.
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What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when your body temperature drops too low. This usually happens when you cannot retain body heat and are in cold temperatures. This can happen if you are not wearing the correct clothing for the conditions. Hypothermia can happen quickly if you get wet while outside in cold temperatures.
Hypothermia is classified when your body temperature drops below 95 F. For normal adults, your body temperature is typically 98.6 F. Although it seems like a small decrease, having your body drop in core temperature to below 95 F can have a large impact on your health. When your body is that cold, it can’t function properly, resulting in organ failure if not treated.
Early signs of Hypothermia
Although hypothermia seems like something that would not happen, it is estimated that roughly 1,300 people die every year due to hypothermia in the United States. Hypothermia is much more common than you may think, which means that it is important to be aware of the risks of hypothermia and the early signs of hypothermia so that you know how to stay safe this winter.
Early signs of hypothermia include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Shivering
- Slurred speech
- Trouble moving and gripping with hands
How to Prevent Hypothermia
In most cases, hypothermia is completely preventable. Watching the weather forecast if you plan to spend time outdoors can help you prepare appropriately for the weather. During the transition from winter to spring, the weather can become unpredictable. Because of this, even if you prepare accordingly, weather conditions can change dramatically in a short period of time, leaving you at risk of developing hypothermia. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, here are some simple tips to prevent hypothermia:
- Always pack extra layers
- Wear a waterproof outer layer
- Bring an extra pair of warm socks
- Keep a sleeping bag or warm blanket in your car
- Avoid getting wet
- Wear sweat-wicking base layers
Get Urgent Injury & Illness Care in Linden, NJ by Visiting AFC Urgent Care Linden
If you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, it is important to understand the risk of hypothermia so that you can take the appropriate precautions to stay healthy. At AFC Urgent Care Linden, we offer rapid same-day injury and illness care on a walk-in basis with no appointment required.
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Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose and treat a variety of non-life-threatening conditions. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care for self-paying patients. Walk into the clinic today. For additional information, contact the clinic directly by calling (908) 275-5922.
