SOME RISKS DUE TO THE COLD

SOME RISKS DUE TO THE COLD

(1) The crevice (of the skin ! ...)               

Small lesion of the epidermis at the fingertips on the lips or on the heel. Cold, dry skin and poor circulation are responsible.   

 

(2) FROSTBITE-FROSTBITE             

Lesions localized to the extremities by lack of protection against the cold due to the remoteness of the areas of central circulation. They can be superficial in this case it is called "the nail" or deep the rapid heating with hot water bath will allow classification of the lesion in the case of deep frostbite we can decide on an amputation. Also protect the nose and ears with a cap, headband for the nose is more difficult but use the good old muffler.

Frostbite are lesions due to the cold generally localized to the toes (57% of cases), fingers (46% of cases) and face (17% of cases). They occur at temperatures below 0 ° C, but also at temperatures between 0 ° C and 10 ° C (in the case of prolonged exposure, especially in humid environments).

 

Their extent and depth depend on the intensity of the cooling.

Superficial frostbite represents 74% of cases and will heal without sequelae in less than 15 days. Deep frostbite represents 26% of cases and leaves sequelae that may require amputation of the affected areas.

 

(A) SYMPTOMS:            

The affected extremity becomes numb (sensation of "dead finger" or "wooden foot").

The skin becomes pale or purplish and cold.

 

When the affected extremity is warmed, edema (swelling) appears above the lesions and blisters (bubbles). This phase is accompanied by sharp pain for several days.

 

If the frostbite is deep there is also the appearance of bedsores (blackish crusts formed of dead tissue) or necrosis.

 

 

(B) TREATMENT:            

Take the victim to a warm, sheltered place.

Remove any clothing that could tighten the affected limb.

 

Do not massage, rub or roughly manipulate.

 

Immediately warm the affected limb with your breath or by placing it in contact with bare skin, under clothing.

 

If possible, immerse it in hot water (around 36 ° C) with a mild antiseptic (Dakin, Betadine ...) added for about twenty minutes (This bath will be repeated if necessary once or twice a day) .

 

See a doctor as soon as possible (It is only after 3 or 4 days of treatment and observation that it will be possible to know whether the frostbite is superficial or deep and whether surgical treatment will be necessary).

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(C) SOME BASIC PRECAUTIONS:            

The action of cold is multiplied by 24 by humidity and by 10 by the wind. It is therefore imperative that you have suitable clothing and shoes in perfect condition.

 

Gradually acclimate to the altitude to increase your resistance to the cold.

 

As a group, watch each other's faces because the feeling of cold coming from the nose or from a frozen ear is hardly noticeable.

 

Take shelter from the first symptoms.

 

Regardless of the pain caused by frostbite in the feet, never take off your shoes until you have reached a treatment center or shelter.

 

Drink more than usual as the altitude causes dehydration.

 

 

(D) TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL FROSTBITE            

First emergency treatment: rapid heating in a bath of lukewarm water close to 38 ° / 39 ° with an antiseptic liquid. They will be repeated several times a day depending on the intensity of the frostbite. Warning: The bath can be accompanied by severe pain which nevertheless shows the benignity of the lesion. You should never apply cold to a frostbite lesion contrary to what is recommended for all other sports accidents.

 

This warming will only be done if you are sure to reach a protected place because otherwise it would be very serious to freeze a frostbite.    

A fatty dressing is placed on the lesion or associated crevice. It can be combined with taking aspirin and a Fonzylane type vasodilator. We do not pierce the phlyctene which can form unless the doctor advises otherwise. 

Always watch for infection. More serious lesions are treated in hospital and may lead to surgery with amputation.

 

Sports cardiologists recommend that you do not exercise when the temperature is below -5 ° C.

What are the risks of practicing your favorite sport if the temperature is negative, whether the cold is real or felt ?

 

If you have heart problems or asthma, and after the age of 40, playing sports in really cold weather can be dangerous. However, here are some specific recommendations for men over 40 and women over 45:

 

If you haven't yet had a stress test with a cardiologist, now is the right time. A fortiori if you have been an active smoker for more than ten years.

If you experience any unusual symptoms during exercise, such as shortness of breath, palpitations, or chest pain, do not force your pace, stop and speak to your doctor promptly.

 

J) COLD AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS

The cold causes vasoconstriction of the arteries , that is to say a decrease in the size of the blood vessels. This leads to a decrease in blood flow, and therefore oxygen transport, to various essential organs such as the heart or the brain. This sometimes significant decrease in circulation and oxygenation of the heart muscle can lead to serious incidents such as angina pectoris or acute coronary accidents such as myocardial infarction.

Obviously, these accidents very rarely occur in young athletes but rather in athletes over 40 years of age in whom risk factors combine age, male sex and cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia or active smoking. These athletes did not know they had vascular problems. It is the cold associated with exercise, most often at high intensities, that acts as an indicator of anomalies that would undoubtedly have been triggered a few months or years later at milder temperatures.

 

K) COLD AND ASTHMA                     

Our arteries are not the only ones to fear the cold, the bronchi are also very sensitive to the drop in temperatures. The cold causes irritation of the bronchial mucosa and a spasm of the small muscles which determine the size of the bronchi. As a result, asthmatics are very sensitive to the cold and can trigger seizures when playing sports, especially endurance sports, during the winter months.

Remember that asthma is a frequent pathology in France since statistics show that around 10% of school children and 6% of adults present either a real asthmatic disease, or respiratory signs that can be considered as precursors or equivalents of asthma.

 

Under certain conditions of duration, intensity and type of sporting practice (swimming, triathlon, cross-country skiing, endurance races), chronic inflammation of the airways can occur and trigger exercise-induced asthma in athletes. who had never had allergic asthma before. The cold is then a major trigger for asthma attacks during exercise.

 

L) COLD AND POLLUTION

At the end of 2013, the media widely disseminated the alarming information on the rise in air pollution . Usual pollution but which the cold has aggravated, especially in the center and around large cities. The "fine particles" suspended in the air are very irritating to the bronchi and can therefore trigger or reveal respiratory diseases but also cardiovascular diseases. This mechanism is more often put on alert in summer during hot weather. You should also know how to fear it during winter periods.

 

 

 

M) COLD TO TREAT TENDON AND MUSCLE PATHOLOGIES                   

The protocol known internationally under the name GREC (ice, rest, elevation, contention) is recommended by all sports physicians. He reminds us that cold is at the forefront of therapies used to treat traumatic or micro-traumatic pathologies in athletes. Since the cold is a great way to treat and prevent them, a logical shortcut would be to think that sports injuries are less common in winter. Not so simple… An American study has shown that tendinopathies in runners were twice as frequent in winter as in summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. HEAT                      

SPORT AND HEAT, SPORT AND HEAT, WARNING DANGER

 

 

Summer brings with it hot days outside. But, as temperatures and humidity increase, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses. If you sweat profusely without consuming enough fluid to replace the lost fluid, it can lead to dehydration or heat cramps. If the body cannot shed enough heat for any reason, there is a risk of heat exhaustion and, in the most extreme cases, heat stroke - a medical emergency.

Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related conditions because their bodies cannot dissipate heat as effectively as adults. In order to have a safe and healthy  

 

 

summer, make sure you know how to prevent, recognize and treat heat-related conditions.