BY BONNIE LEE STRUNK

Special to The Press

This probably will sound funny, but one of my favorite Christmas gifts last month was a beautifully-wrapped box of hand warmer packets.

The friend who gave me that most-useful present knows me well and is aware that my fingers cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Even in summer, if I am in the frozen foods or dairy sections of a grocery store, I often slip on a pair of gloves.

Doing whatever we can to stay comfortable is important during this bone-chilling season. While most people shiver their way through the winter and gripe about being uncomfortable, some older adults’ lives can be threatened by cold weather if hypothermia develops.

Hypothermia is the dangerous loss of heat from a person’s body, and it occurs when exposure to cold causes the body to lose heat faster than it is being replaced. This can lead to a serious drop in internal body temperature, which can be fatal if not detected and treated early.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency, and, for the elderly, just a small drop in temperature, indoors or out, can cause hypothermia to set in.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, risk factors include impaired mobility, illness, fatigue, wetness, inadequate clothing, inactivity, living alone and alcohol. Alcohol can lower body temperature and dull one’s awareness of cold. And certain medications can reduce the body’s ability to protect itself against cold.

Victims of hypothermia should be examined by a doctor at once. Symptoms to watch for include shivering, but be aware that some older folks whose bodies do not react normally to cold may not shiver. Other symptoms include difficulty walking, sleepiness, stiffness, pale skin, trembling, shallow breathing, slurred speech and weak pulse.

As the condition worsens, the person may lose consciousness, and death can occur from heart or lung failure.

Older adults are especially vulnerable if they have insufficient heat in their homes or apartments because of inability to afford fuel, or poor insulation, or substandard housing conditions.

These individuals may not know that help is available through state and local agencies and some of our utility companies. State representatives and senators can help the elderly find the appropriate assistance.

When senior adults live alone, they may be exposed to unhealthy cold conditions without anyone being aware of the dire situation. Perhaps a neighbor, relative or friend could be enlisted to check on the older person regularly to ensure his or her well-being.

Having the home’s heating system checked annually is important. And it’s a good idea to have a thermometer in the bedroom, where long periods of inactivity take place, to closely monitor the room’s temperature.

Good nutrition, with a healthy variety of foods, can help older persons ward off hypothermia. In addition, regular exercise, such as walking, stimulates heat production in the muscles and increases blood flow to the body’s tissues.

Wearing the proper clothing can provide needed insulation during cold weather. A hat can help keep the entire body warm, because the head is a major source of heat loss. Layered clothing traps heat better than one bulky jacket. Lap blankets are great when sitting for long periods of time. And, of course, my beloved hand warmers placed in mittens or gloves or even in pockets and boots, can add warmth for up to eight hours.

Keeping dry is critical, because the body loses heat more rapidly when wet. Wearing waterproof garb and using an umbrella is very important in foul weather. If clothes do get wet, they should be changed as soon as possible.

Fortunately, hypothermia is not a contagious disease. We have control over this serious medical condition. By taking a few precautions and using some common sense, we can prevent the deadly consequences of hypothermia and safely tolerate another two months of Old Man Winter.