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How to Cope with the Cold: Lower Your Body Temperature Newswise — When winter comes, we cope by reaching for a coat and getting accustomed to cooler temperatures. Australian bush rats behave much the same as their larger, human counterparts. Except that, according to a new study, they grow a thicker fur coat and can actually lower their body temperature to compensate for a colder environment. The article appears in the October 2010 issue of the Journal of Mammalogy. The purpose of the study, conducted at the University of Sydney, Australia, was to determine whether exposure to chronic cold, level of activity, or an interaction between the two worked to reduce the body temperature of an endotherm such as the bush rat. Australian bush rats were brought into captivity and acclimated to either a cold environment—12° C—or a warm environment—22° C. Each group was then further divided into an exercise group and a sedentary group. Bush rats in the exercise groups were run for 30 minutes on an exercise wheel five days a week. The bush rats in the cold-acclimated group showed a significantly lower body temperature—reduced by as much as 0.9° C—regardless of level of exercise. The sedentary cold-acclimated rats showed greater fur thickness than the exercised ones; however, both had significantly thicker fur than the warm-acclimated group. Colder ambient temperature rather than lower levels of activity influenced the bush rats’ response. This decrease in body temperature is due to thermosensation. The current study supports the importance of these environmental sensors distributed throughout the body and skin. Temperature activates these channels, and previous studies with rodents have shown that blocking the receptors can change how the animal responds to the warmth or cold of its environment. The reduction in body temperature benefits the exercising bush
rat in the cold environment by allowing both maintained activity and
energy savings. With a lower body heat to achieve, less energy is spent
in keeping warm. Source: Allen Press Publishing Services Full text of the article, “Advantage to lower body
temperatures for a small mammal (Rattus fuscipes) experiencing
chronic cold.” Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 91, Issue 5,
October 2010, is available at http://www2.allenpress.com/pdf/mamm-91-05-1197-1204.pdf
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Don't Let Frostbite And Frostnip Put The Deep Freeze on Your Winter Fun Newswise: Winter can be especially hazardous to human health with frostbite and frostnip being among the more common hazards people are likely to encounter. Frostbite and frostnip occur when the human body is exposed to extremely low temperatures for a period of time without the proper clothing for the conditions. Extreme cold causes the blood vessels of the body to begin to narrow and constrict, reducing blood flow to the extremities, such as ears, the nose, hands and feet. The two conditions are natural survival responses the body makes in order to keep your vital organs from becoming damaged by the cold, said emergency medicine physician Dr. Melanie Cerinich of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. The body shifts warm blood from its extremities to its center where the organs most vital to survival are. Since the extremities receive less warm blood, they become more vulnerable to cold. Frostnip is the precursor to frostbite and is far less serious. Frostnip commonly affects the fingers, face, ears, cheeks, toes and other areas of the body over-exposed to the cold. People with frostnip will notice that the skin of the affected area is stiff, numb and white in color but the tissue underneath will still be warm and soft. Treatment for frostnip is as easy as warming the affected area by rubbing, moving and covering it up with extra layers of clothing,Cerinich said. You can also dip the frost-nipped area in warm, never hot, water until normal sensation returns. Frostbite is the more serious form of frostnip. Frostbite occurs when parts of the body actually freeze. Mild frostbite is characterized by numbness in the frostbitten area. The skin may appear white or gray. Also, there may be some blistering of the skin. Treatment for mild frostbite isn’t too dissimilar to treatment for frostnip.” Cerinich said. First, get out of the cold and warm the affected area and then cover it with extra layers of clothing. Dipping the affected area in warm water until normal sensation returns also can be done. In severe cases of frostbite, the tissue underneath the skin can be frozen to the bone. Severe frostbite can not only affect fingers, the face, ears, cheeks and toes but even entire arms and legs. Frostbitten skin will be hard, numb, and appear pale, white or gray. The condition can lead to gangrene, amputation and even death. People with severe frostbite should never rub or apply snow to the affected area. That will only increase injury to the tissue, Cerinich said. “The best thing to do is to get out of the cold as fast as possible and wrap the frostbitten area immediately in some warm clothing or warm it with your body. Then seek immediate medical attention. Of course, limiting your exposure to extreme cold as well as wearing dry, layered clothing, a hat and mittens, which are warmer than gloves, are without a doubt the best ways to avoid frostnip, frostbite and other winter related illnesses, Cerinich added. Released: 2/4/2011 10:45 AM EST Source: Loyola University Health System 
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Fighting Frostbite and Cold Weather Injury Newswise — With cold weather on the horizon, podiatrists at Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine warn that people of all ages need to take precautions to protect their feet from cold-related injuries like frostbite, ankle sprains and fractures. Fighting Frostbite “Warm towels and water should be used to warm the affected
area at the first sign of numbness. The person should then see a
doctor, who can determine if there’s any tissue damage,” said James B.
McGuire, D.P.M., assistant professor of podiatric medicine. “Dressing properly is the best defense against the problems
that severe weather causes,” said McGuire. “But it is important to
remember that proper foot gear is just as important as a warm coat, hat
and gloves.” Cold Weather Injuries “For skiers, high speeds and gravity pressure raise the probability of injuring the lower extremities. Ice skating and hockey pose added risk to the ankle region during quick turns and stops,” said McGuire. But serious wintertime injuries are not problems solely for athletes. “Ankle sprains and ankle fractures are much more prevalent this time of year for everyone. Ice and snow create the impetus for injury by allowing the foot to twist on the leg in such a way that ligaments and bone are damaged,” said Howard Palamarchuk., assistant professor of podiatric surgery. According to Palamarchuk, initial treatment for these injuries
should include rest, ice, immobilization, compressive wraps and
elevation (commonly known as RIICE). He advises that any ankle or foot
injury with pain and swelling beyond 48 hours be checked out by a
podiatric physician. Renee Cree, 215-204-6522, rencree@temple.edu |