Seniors Vulnerable to Hypothermia (HealthDay)

Sunday, February 6, 2011 8:01 AM By dwi

SUNDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- In algid weather, senior adults are especially vulnerable to hypothermia, and they and their idolized ones need to verify steps to preclude this potentially deadly condition.

Hypothermia occurs when a person's embody temperature drops beneath normal and relic there for an daylong length of time. As grouping age, their bodies are inferior healthy to endure daylong periods of danger to cold, according to the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA).

In addition, illnesses and destined types of medications crapper turn the ability of an old person's embody to move to cold. Seniors also tend to be inferior active and create inferior embody modify than junior people, which means they may amend hypothermia after danger to relatively mild algid weather or a small drop in temperature.

Signs of hypothermia include andante or unintelligible speech, fault or sleepiness, shivering, stiffness in the arms and legs, anaemic pulse, andante reactions and slummy curb of embody movements. If a person's temperature is 96 degrees or lower, call 911.

The NIA offers the mass hypothermia hindrance tips for seniors:

  • When it's cold, dress individual layers of lax clothing. The layers will trap hearty expose between them. Always dress a hat, scarf, handwear or gloves when right in algid weather.
  • At home, dress daylong underclothing under your clothes, along with socks and slippers. Use a bedding or afghan to keep legs and shoulders warm, and wear a hat or cap.
  • Set your home's regulator to at small 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Even indoor temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit crapper lead to hypothermia in senior people.
  • Ask your student if some medication or over-the-counter medications you are taking may process the risk of hypothermia.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about hypothermia.


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