With multiple days of temperatures in the single digits, extreme-lows this winter are becoming a norm in St. Louis. As the cold drags on, it’s important to know that dangerously cold temperatures can give you more than just a runny nose. Here’s five things you should know about extreme cold and your health, courtesy of the St. Louis County Health Department.
1. Cold temperatures can make you more fatigued and exhausted than normal. Activities such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can strain your heart more than you might expect.
2. Infants and the elderly are the most at-risk in extreme cold. Excessive cold is one of the leading weather-related causes of death in Missouri. Make sure you and your loved ones have at least one room in your house that’s heated to 70 degrees to prevent hypothermia.
3. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. Although alcohol might make you feel warm, the feeling is deceptive. Blood and heat flowing away from the core of your body into the blood vessels near your skin takes heat away from your vital organs. Also, bad decisions made under the influence of alcohol and passing out can lead to hypothermia, which takes hold quickly.
4. Be careful when trying to heat your home. Avoid charcoal when using fireplaces or stoves to keep warm—it can give off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide. Also, keep flammable materials away from space heaters and don’t overload electrical circuits.
5. It’s important to eat differently during the winter. You should consume more healthy foods with higher levels of fat and protein in order to sustain energy. Try foods like turkey, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal.
