LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Residents across west central Ohio are being urged to bundle up as extremely cold temperatures are expected to grip the region for the next week, with doctors warning that prolonged exposure to the elements can be dangerous.
Frostbite can occur within minutes in extreme cold. Symptoms may include tingling or numbness in the extremities and face, along with difficulty breathing. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should get indoors immediately and begin warming up.
Doctors at Lima Memorial Health System say more severe symptoms may indicate hypothermia and require medical attention. Blistering of the skin or pain that does not subside after warming up are warning signs.
“Essentially, Frostbite is a mild form of hypothermia. Once you're in the cold too long, your body can start to have damage, longer damage, so you start getting blistering, or a lot of lack of sensation and pain can start to develop. And that's technically what we consider hypothermia, and that you have to be more watchful of, because you can have long term symptoms, and essentially, it's essentially a burn to the body caused by the cold,” says Dr. Paul Leonard, ER Physician, Lima Memorial Health System.
Cold weather can also put added stress on the heart, particularly for people with existing heart conditions. Doctors warn that physical exertion in freezing temperatures, such as shoveling snow, can increase health risks.
“When you're out in the cold, your body is in a little bit of a stress state trying to deal with the cold, or if you're shocked, shoveling, for example, snow, those are all things that if you have any heart problems, you should be very cautious about feeling, being aware of your body. So if you're feeling chest pain, feeling it's hard to breathe, catch your breath. Those are all signs that you should immediately go inside, stop doing what you're doing to minimize any stress in your heart,” adds Dr. Leonard.
Dr. Leonard also encourages residents to check on elderly family members and neighbors during extreme cold conditions to ensure they are staying warm and have the supplies they need.
