Baby, it’s cold outside: 4 tips to help patients prevent hypothermia

Even though parts of the country are enjoying a milder winter thanks to El Niño, colder temperatures can still occur. When they do, patients are at an increased risk of hypothermia.

“If the body is not properly insulated, hypothermia can develop in a matter of hours,” Gregory McDonald, DO, a professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Try Dr. McDonald’s tips when talking to your patients about hypothermia prevention:

• Keep your head, face, neck and hands covered when outdoors in the cold.
• Avoid activities that cause profuse sweating.
• Dress in loose-fitting layers.
• Avoid alcohol when spending long periods outdoors. In the short term, alcohol makes the body feel warmer, but it also causes blood vessels to dilate, which makes heat loss occur more quickly.