Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature goes below normal. When you get older your body can’t control its temperature as well and you are more susceptible to this disorder.
There are several reasons that older folks catch hypothermia:
- In older people the layer of fat just under the skin gets thinner, and the body can’t shiver as efficiently.
- You may have health problems that prevent you from maintaining normal temperature.
- You may be taking medication that increases your risk for hypothermia.
- You may be trying to save money by keeping the temperature of your home too cold.
If you get hypothermia you may display some of these symptoms:
- You might start shivering.
- Your skin may get pale and cold.
- Later, if the condition is not treated, the shivering might stop, you might feel weak or drowsy, lose your balance, and even lose consciousness.
Severe hypothermia needs emergency medical attention:
However, the best thing is to prevent it before it becomes serious. Here are some ideas.
- Keep your home warm, especially the bedroom. If it’s expensive for you, look into aid programs that might be able to help. If you can’t keep it warm enough, dress warmly indoors, and even in bed.
- Dress warmly when you go out. Wool and polypropylene are best, as they remain warm even when they get wet. Dress in layers, so you can remove or add clothes as needed.
- Be sure to wear a warm hat. A lot of body head is lost through the head.
- If you get wet or cold go inside.
- Eat warm food and drink warm fluids, especially before you go out.
- Drink water to avoid dehydration.
- Exercise regularly; this causes your metabolism to work more efficiently to increase production of heat.
- Avoid drinking alcohol when you’re cold. Not only does it cause your body to lose heat faster, but it makes you less able to discern when you get cold.
In conclusion, seniors, keep yourselves warm, so that you won’t have to be hospitalized for hypothermia. However, if you suspect you do have it and you can’t warm yourself up, seek medical help.
This post is a guest post by John Walters who is a freelance writer who attended the 1973 Clarion West science fiction writing workshop and is a member of Science Fiction Writers of America. He writes mainstream fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and memoirs of his wanderings around the world. For many years he lived in Greece with his Greek wife and five sons and taught English as a second language to help pay the bills, but he has recently moved back to the United States and now lives in San Diego.
