Six surprisingly common winter health dangers

The cold months of winter bring unique health risks that go far beyond the usual worries about frostbite. From breathing troubles to unexpected slips, winter can catch your health and well-being off guard.

“Most people think hypothermia and frostbite are the biggest winter health hazards, but there are multiple ways cold weather can affect our health,” explains Dr. Anna Kiernicki-Sklar, an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Health Care.

She outlines six of the most common winter-related health dangers:

1. Asthma and COPD exacerbations

Cold, dry air can trigger asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), airway inflammation, bronchospasms and wheezing. Those with asthma or COPD should use daily medications as prescribed, discuss management plans with their health care provider and keep a rescue inhaler on hand. Humidifiers can help prevent airways from becoming dry and inflamed. Wear a mask or scarf over your mouth and nose in cold weather to warm and humidify air before it enters the lungs. Avoid exercising and working outdoors.

2. Hypothermia

This occurs when the body’s core temperature becomes dangerously low. Risk factors include being extremely young or elderly, social isolation, and certain conditions like hypothyroidism, altered mental status, mental illness or dementia, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, and wet clothing.

Hypothermia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, abnormally low blood pressure, coma and death. Avoid prolonged exposure to cold environments, dress appropriately for the weather, check on the elderly and those with limited mobility, and change out of wet clothes immediately.

3. Frostbite

When areas of soft tissue freeze, cell and tissue death occur. Faces, fingers, toes, noses and ears are at highest risk of frostbite, but it can occur to any body part exposed to freezing temperatures or contact with extremely cold substances. Frostbite can happen in minutes. Symptoms include pale, discolored skin, loss of sensation in the affected area, and clumsiness or poor motor function.

Initial treatment includes drying and rewarming the affected area. Rubbing the area or submerging in hot water can worsen tissue damage. Frostbite can require skin grafting and amputation when large areas of skin and tissue are affected.

4. Slips, trips and falls

Clear ice and snow from stairs and walkways, wear appropriate footwear and install lighting as needed. Seek care for any head injury, especially if you are over 65 years old or are on a blood thinner medication, experience severe back or neck pain, limb pain, or an inability to walk after a fall.

5. Cardiovascular events

The American Heart Association reports more heart attack deaths in the winter than any other time of year. Cold-induced constriction of blood vessels and exposure to heat loss put extra strain on the heart. Risk factors include shoveling snow, holiday stress, excessive salt, sugar, and alcohol intake, and delay in seeking care for heart attack symptoms. Know the symptoms and avoid shoveling if you have a history of heart disease or other risk factors.

6. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that inhibits the body’s ability to properly utilize oxygen and can lead to death. Many sources of carbon monoxide are more common in the winter, including motor vehicles or snowblowers in poorly ventilated areas, blocked dryer vents, and improperly vented indoor fuel-burning devices. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every bedroom and checked regularly.

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