COOL
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Cold Disorders
Low temperature effects on human health
What is in the book?
Chapter: Cold
Temperature extremes
Wind chill
Cold and the body
Temperature regulation
Risk factors
Cold-related disorders
Cold diuresis, allergy to cold
Cardiovascular disorders
Common cold and influenza
Diabetes, winter asthma
Raynaud’s disease
Frostnip, frostbite
Hypothermia, trench foot
Cold weather mortality
Beat the cold
Cold is responsible for more excess deaths and disorders than heat is. The higher figures aren’t often apparent, however, as cold snaps don’t have the same immediate impact as heat waves do.
Cold-related illnesses manifest itself in much more subtle ways at first: kidneys produce more urine, hands and feet are constantly cold, or the blood pressure rises markedly.
There are also the annual episodes of sneezing, wheezing and coughing. If the exposure to the cold persists, the ill effects lead to more serious problems such as frostbites or hypothermia.
A breeze is very welcome in summer. The wind replaces the hot and humid air near your skin with cooler and drier air. More sweat can evaporate and cool your body.
In winter you don’t want this effect. You want the air near your skin to stay and provide a thin layer of insulation. In winter it is very important to wear clothes that limit the exchange of air near your skin – unless it is desired during exercise or outdoor work.
A stormy winter’s day, however, may penetrate whatever you are wearing and you will feel much colder than the actual air temperature around you.
