The recent deep freeze has prompted us to write on cold weather savvy (despite our current run of "balmy" temperatures).  Many of the local careers require significant exposure to that cold weather.  Ways to stay safe in cold weather exposure is to wear the appropriate clothes the correct way.  All cold weather clothing should be worn loose and layered.  Air trapped between the layers provides insulation.  Socks should be changed frequently and shoes rotated if feet sweat, or the shoes get wet.  As with any injury, having had a previous cold injury makes you more susceptible to another one.  Nicotine, regardless of whether it comes from a cigarette, chewing tobacco, pipe or cigar causes blood vessels to constrict.  (This is particularly dangerous in hands and feet.  It can lead to or worsen a cold injury.)  Alcohol and caffeine contribute to increased urination and subsequent dehydration.  If you skip meals, the first thing your body does is slow metabolism.  Slower metabolism means less heat production and increased chances of cold injury.  Do not huddle or stop moving.  The more you move, the more heat you produce, decreasing the risk of cold injury.  You can do simple self checks, like pinching a fingernail to watch how fast the blood returns to your finger.  The slower the return, the higher potential for cold injury to fingers or toes.  Prevention is key to any injury including cold injuries.  At Alliance Physical Therapy our goal is to help keep the residents of our community safe and well.  We hope this information assists in that endeavor.

Yours in health,

Matt