The Hospital of Torrevieja stresses the importance of exercise caution in intense cold days.

– in days of intense cold it is advisable to keep always dry and make hot meals that provide the energy necessary, without renouncing a varied diet

Torrevieja. January of 2013- the Hospital of Torrevieja, managed by Bank health and Asisa and integrated in the public network of the Generalitat Valenciana, advised their patients to exercise caution during the days of intense cold, since this can cause direct effects on our body that can undermine our general State of health.

Older people, the infants and nursing mothers, patients with diseases such as respiratory infections or chronic diseases that are with scheduled medication and persons with reduced mobility or to practice sports in the open air or in cold areas should exercise caution to treat patients framed in so-called risk groups ”that they must keep a special attention to the direct effects that cold can cause on our body.

Specialists recommend to avoid exposures prolonged cold and wind, especially during cold days, if the patient belongs to one of the risk groups. So wrap well paying special attention to the head, neck, hands, and feet may contribute to greater protection against the weather. It is advisable to keep always dry and make hot meals that provide the energy necessary, without giving up to a varied diet.

If it is necessary to travel by car, it is pertinent to first inform about the State of the roads, so the advice of DGT; pay attention to local radio stations or TV for Civil protection and the National Institute of meteorology information can help avoid displacement in areas with extreme situation.

Extreme cold can cause serious effects on our health. Thus, some of the most common consequences are freezing and hypothermia.

Freezing consists of the skin and damage internal tissues caused by the intense cold, its symptoms usually occur in the form of skin white and hard to the touch, and ulcers and gangrene may appear in more severe cases. In case of freezing, you should protect the victim from cold and move it to a warm place; in case of having nearby medical aid, wrap the affected areas with sterile compresses and take the victim to the nearest urgent care is recommended. If medical help is not available we recommend immersing the affected areas in warm water (between 38 ° C and 40 ° C); It is important not to rub the affected area and not overheat if there is no guarantee that the tissue will remain hot.

For its part, hypothermia is one of the most common consequences of cold. The uncontrollable shaking and numbness of the hands, in milder cases, are some of its symptoms. In case of hypothermia media is recommended to increase physical activity, drink hot drinks that do not contain no caffeine or alcohol, move the patient to a warm place and remove wet clothes replaced by dry warm clothing. It is recommended to gradually overheat the patient placing warm compresses on neck, chest and English.