It is harder for the human body to survive and thrive in cold extremes compared to hot extremes. This means that you are often at higher risk for cold injuries in seemingly milder weather than you are for heat injuries in hotter weather.
Cold stress as a term refers to the strain your body undergoes in cold weather conditions. It can result in cold stress injuries which can actually have a devastating impact on your overall health and wellness.
Hypothermia and soft tissue damage
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes a look at cold stress injuries. Some will likely sound familiar to you, such as hypothermia. While many people associate hypothermia with extreme cold climates, it can actually occur in weather above freezing, especially if you are in an environment with high moisture content.
Hypothermia involves your body’s core temperature dropping below 95 degrees. At this point, you may experience confusion, disorientation, paradoxical undressing, and unconsciousness. If you lose consciousness in the cold, it is possible to freeze to death. You can also suffer from frostbite or trench foot while in cold or wet conditions: conditions involving direct damage to soft tissue due to exposure to cold temperatures. They can lead to tissue death and the possibility of amputation.
A high medical toll
Cold weather injuries often result in a lengthy healing process and can cost you heavily in medical bills. At the same time, you may find yourself unable to work as you focus on your recovery, leading to a disproportionate financial loss-gain situation. Thus, you may wish to consider contacting legal aid to look into available financial compensation options.
