Author: Leslie Toldo
From viruses to cold air to snow and ice, there are plenty of factors that can impact your health during the winter months. There are five culprits behind most winter-related emergency room visits.
Viral Infections
Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) keep emergency rooms busy during winter. One in five Americans gets the flu every year, with at least 200 thousand hospitalizations and 36 thousand deaths. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data shows that last flu season there were more than 229 thousand flu related hospitalizations.
So how can you protect yourself? There are vaccines to fight against Flu, COVID-19, and RSV, but you should also do your part to reduce the spread of germs. Respiratory viruses spread through droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs without covering their nose or mouth. People nearby can then breathe in those droplets or come into contact with them by touching a surface where they have landed, then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. This is why the single best thing you can do is wash your hands.
“Hand washing is by far the best way to prevent the spread of viruses for both the sick person and the rest of us,” said McLaren Flint Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Ray Rudoni. “It’s also important to stay home if you are sick. You are most infectious during the first few days of a respiratory infection.”
Exposure to Cold
Just being outside in the cold winter air for too long can be dangerous. Your body loses heat faster than it is produced, using up your body’s stored energy, and ultimately causing your body temperature to drop. If your body temperature gets too low, it can affect the brain and impact movement and cognitive ability.
According to the CDC, the people at highest risk for hypothermia include:
- Older adults without adequate food, clothing, or heat
- Babies in cold bedrooms
- People outdoors for long periods, like hikers, hunters, and the homeless
- People who drink alcohol or use drugs
“Alcohol and drugs are often factors when it comes to hypothermia and frostbite because often people become mentally impaired to the point that they are not aware of what is happening to their bodies in the cold,” said Dr. Rudoni.
Frostbite happens when the cold air freezes your skin. You may feel numbness or tingling, and the skin can become swollen or blistered. It may also turn white, or even black and leathery. It can damage your skin enough to cause you to lose parts of your fingers, toes, nose, or ears. Wind and moisture can contribute to frostbite. If you suspect you have frostbite or hypothermia, you should seek medical attention right away.
Slips and Falls
Every year around a million Americans are injured slipping and falling on ice and snow. Older adults- those 65 and over- are at the greatest risk, but it can literally happen to anyone. Falls can lead to broken bones and head injuries. If you fall and hit your head, you should have it checked out to make sure you do not have a brain injury, especially if you are elderly.
Snow Blower Injuries
We tend to think of using snow blowers as less risky than shoveling, because it tends to put less strain on the back. The truth is, snow blowers can cause serious injuries, especially to the hands.
“Every year we have people come in and lose fingers or hands because they reach into a snow blower that is still turned on to try to un-stick a jammed-up blade,” Rudoni said. “Always make sure you turn your snow blower off before trying to clear a jam or debris from your blade.”
Heart Attacks
Being active in the cold can be dangerous. Not only does it put you at higher risk of falling, frostbite, and hypothermia, but it can also contribute to heart attack or stroke. Cold air can put stress on the cardiovascular system by constricting your arteries, impacting blood flow, and making the heart work harder. That can increase both heart rate and blood pressure.
The impact of cold air can be compounded if you are being active outdoors in the winter, whether exercising or clearing snow. Physical activity makes our hearts beat faster to supply blood to the muscles we are working. “Often people who do not get regular exercise will tackle snow shoveling and put themselves at risk. It is easy to get going in the cool air and not realize how hard you are working. We see it all the time,” Rudoni said.
Even snow-blowing can strain your heart. Whether you're snow-blowing, shoveling, or exercising outdoors in the winter, take frequent breaks somewhere warm and drink plenty of water. Dress in layers so that you can start to remove them if you become overheated.
If you have a non-life-threatening emergency, you can reserve a spot in line at either McLaren’s Flint or Fenton emergency rooms. Just visit mclaren.org/flinter, then wait in comfort anywhere you choose. You will receive an email confirmation. You will receive a text if your spot in line has to be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances.