Several medical conditions can lead to serious problems if the person is exposed to cold temperatures unprotected.
Areas where problems may arise:
(1) regulation of body temperature
(2) metabolic adjustment to increased demands
(3) heat production
(4) awareness of impending cold-induced injury and the ability to respond
(5) vasospasm
(6) adequate peripheral circulation
(7) bronchospasm
Condition |
Consequence |
---|---|
peripheral vascular disease |
problems with temperature regulation, increased risk of frostbite |
uncontrolled hypertension |
may be worsened by cold-induced vasoconstriction |
heart disease (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, angina, previous myocardial infarction, previous coronary artery bypass surgery) |
associated with generalized vascular disease |
Raynaud's phenomenon |
vasoconstriction |
cold agglutinin disease or cryoglobulinemia |
poor peripheral circulation |
cold or exercise induced asthma |
bronchospasm may be induced by cold |
hypothyroidism or hypoglycemia |
compromised metabolic response to demands |
previous history of frostbite |
cold intolerance, vasospasm |
compulsive smoking |
peripheral vasoconstriction, vascular disease |
age extremes - very young or very old |
decreased heat production in the elderly, high surface area with heat loss in infants |
alcohol and substance abuse |
lack of awareness of impending injury and ability to respond appropriately |
medications (major tranquilizers, anticholinergic agents, beta blockers) |
interfere with temperature regulation or heat production |
excessive sweating |
increased heat loss |
severe mental illness |
lack of awareness of impending injury |
unconsciousness |
lack of awareness of impending injury, possible problems in heat regulation |
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,