First death of the year due to cold... Learn the warning signs of hypothermia

With the first death from cold-related illness occurring this year, there is an increasing need to understand the symptoms of cold-related illnesses in preparation for the upcoming severe cold weather.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 'Cold Disease Emergency Room Surveillance System,' it was reported and estimated that a man in his 60s in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, died from hypothermia on the 9th. This is the first death from cold-related illness this year.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has been operating a cold-related illness surveillance system at over 510 emergency rooms nationwide since 2013 to monitor health damages caused by winter cold waves. This year's surveillance system started on December 1st and will run until February 28th of next year.

From the first day of operation on the 1st to the 9th, a total of 29 cold-related illness cases have occurred, with one estimated death. Among the 29 cold-related patients, 19 (65.6%) are elderly aged 65 and above. By age group, 11 (37.9%) are over 80 years old, 6 (20.7%) are in their 70s, 5 (17.2%) are in their 50s, and 4 (13.8%) are in their 60s.

Hypothermia accounted for 93.1% of the disease types, with the rest identified as superficial frostbite. Patients found outdoors numbered 17 (58.6%), while indoor cases were 12 (41.4%). Among indoor cases, 10 occurred at home.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency emphasizes that it is especially important for the elderly, infants, and individuals with chronic diseases to prepare for cold-related illnesses. In the case of the elderly and children, autonomic nervous system function and vascular defense mechanisms are diminished, making them more vulnerable to cold-related illnesses than normal adults. Additionally, individuals with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension face a higher risk of symptom deterioration due to rapid temperature changes, which can cause blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to spike suddenly.

Meanwhile, cold-related illnesses also have prodromal symptoms. The most common condition among patients is hypothermia, which refers to a state where the internal organs or muscle temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. When the normal body temperature drops by 1 to 2 degrees to 34-35 degrees Celsius, severe shivering symptoms appear. The shivering at this stage is so intense that it cannot be compared to simply shivering from cold; it is characterized by such severe trembling that the person may be unable to walk alone.

When the temperature drops by 1 to 2 degrees below 34°C, muscles gradually stiffen and trembling begins to decrease. As Maxipak or breathing volume significantly decrease, it can progress to a critical situation. At this stage, active emergency hospital visits, such as calling an ambulance, are necessary. At 31°C, consciousness disturbances occur, and at 28°C, cardiac and respiratory arrest can happen.

<Source: Health Chosun>