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The cold, even seasonal, has a significant impact on our bodies. How does our body defend itself, what risks are there and what tips are there to deal with them better?
Scream, it’s cold. Nothing other than normal for the season, you will tell us. However, shivering, frozen noses and numb fingers are not the most pleasant parts of winter and some people are more at risk from subzero temperatures. Le Figaro Santé has taken off its mittens to give you the best advice against colds and make you aware of some pitfalls to avoid.
Resist, vasoconstriction…
Our body keeps its internal temperature constant at around 37°C (with small fluctuations depending on the organ, time of day and person). To resist the cold, it stores the heat available to it and strives to produce it. In order to store it and distribute it where it is most needed, a phenomenon of vasoconstriction occurs: the diameter of the blood vessels of non-vital parts (skin, fingers, etc.) decreases. This has two advantages: On the one hand, the less irrigated skin is more insulating and limits the heat exchange between our blood and the outside world. Blood also flows to the vital organs to better protect them. It also becomes more viscous.
…and thrills!
Our body’s second tactic: producing energy. To achieve this, it accelerates digestion to absorb and extract from fats the nutrients necessary to produce heat. Cell metabolism speeds up to produce even more heat. The other way to generate heat is exercise, and shivering is the body’s “second line of defense” against cold: superficial muscle fibers contract to increase heat production. Therefore, the appearance of chills signals that the body is having difficulty regulating the internal temperature and that it is time to go home! As for “goosebumps,” it’s the creation of an insulating layer of air between your skin and the cold outside; This very ancient mechanism is obviously more effective in an animal with thick fur than in humans…
Can you “catch a cold”?
Flu, colds and other respiratory infections are due to viruses and bacteria, and no, we do not catch colds in the strict sense of the word (although certain mechanisms mean that they are indirectly involved and our resistance to them is lower). ). In very small children and older people, however, the thermoregulation mechanisms work less well. And this is even more true if they move little or not at all. Remember that your baby stays still in the stroller while walking! Additionally, children cannot tell when they are cold, especially when they are having fun. Also be careful with chronically ill patients (cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, hypothyroidism, neuropsychiatric diseases): to fight the cold, the body mobilizes the very mechanisms that are weakened by the disease. Studies have therefore shown higher cardiovascular mortality during episodes of extreme cold (9.1 additional deaths per 1,000 deaths, according to a study published in the journal in 2022). Traffic ).
Frostbite and hypothermia, emergencies
Prolonged exposure threatens frostbite and hypothermia, and homeless people are found frozen to death every winter. Frostbite is a localized injury resulting from freezing of the skin, most commonly on exposed extremities (hands, feet, face); It starts with redness and burning, then progresses to numbness and skin discoloration or whitish patches. Frostbite should be treated immediately to prevent it from developing into deeper frostbite. Hypothermia begins when the body’s internal temperature falls below 35°C. The body can then no longer function properly. Chills, drowsiness, fatigue and general clumsiness are the warning signs. Below 32 °C (moderate hypothermia) progressive unconsciousness and hallucinations occur. Below 28°C is severe hypothermia.
Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning
Another, more indirect danger: every year people fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly used or poorly maintained heating devices and poorly ventilated rooms. Headaches, dizziness or weakness should alert you, as should digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, pain, etc.), especially if they affect several household members and disappear when they leave the house. If the poisoning persists, it can lead to visual and behavioral problems and even coma. “For physiological reasons [les nourrissons] They may be the first or even the only ones to be poisonedstates the Ministry of Health. The clinical presentation is often atypical (refusal to breastfeed, unexplained crying, light-headedness, convulsions).” Also be careful with pregnant women: the fetus can be severely poisoned while the mother feels little or no effects. Regardless of the outside temperature, it is important to continue to ventilate your home.
Several thin layers of clothing…
Do you know what the best insulation is? The air, as long as it is dry and calm! Whether you’re in the city or on a mountaintop, the secret is to “wrap yourself” in air to protect yourself from the cold. There are two solutions to this: you can choose an outfit suitable for this (a down jacket, ski or hiking clothes, etc.) or layer several light items of clothing instead of just one very thick one (which, by the way, is the icing on the cake). Top, cake, makes it easier to remove sheets when entering a heated place). The clothing must also not be too tight on the body (to be able to trap the air layer), those in contact with the skin must be able to wick away sweat and the final layer must insulate you from wind and rain.
…and a hat
Pay attention to the protruding parts. Your mother wasn’t wrong when she told you to wear a hat, gloves, and a scarf… By protecting your nose and mouth, you’ll breathe in less cold air and save your body from having to warm up before it gets to yours reaches lungs; Your mucous membranes are also less weakened and thus form a better barrier against viruses and bacteria. The head, rich in blood circulation, represents a real source of heat loss during free exercise. As for the fingers, they are the first victims of the body, which prefers to supply the vital organs. So don’t rely on them to protect you!
Be careful about your performance and alertness
Resisting the cold requires effort from your body. The heart beats faster, blood pressure increases, as does the breathing rate. If your health is not great or you are not used to physical exertion, now is not the time to start running.
In addition, extreme or prolonged cold reduces our performance and alertness. Muscle strength, dexterity (especially when wearing thick clothing and gloves), attention and reaction time may be affected. Therefore, be careful when engaging in a risky activity such as DIY. Also pay attention to the risk of slipping on frozen ground.
Eat and drink without excess (but not alcohol!)
Typically, unless you are exposed to extreme and/or prolonged cold, your body does not need additional calories to cope. A balanced diet will be enough. However, care must be taken to ensure adequate fluid intake, especially since cold can irritate the mucous membranes. Hot drinks may be nice, but they are no more warming than a simple glass of water. And no matter how much you like sipping mulled wine or grog, forget one preconceived notion: No, alcohol doesn’t warm you at all! On the contrary: under the influence of alcohol, the blood vessels on the surface of the skin expand and the blood flows there, which leads to a false feeling of heat, to the detriment of our internal organs. !
Be careful with certain medications
The common cold can have an impact on the stability of certain medications and their effects in our body. Drugs are tested for stability at high temperatures, but not always at low temperatures, and some products may exhibit reduced quality in extreme cold. In addition, they can change our defense mechanisms. Neuroleptics, barbiturates and benzodiazepines disrupt the function of the hypothalamus, which controls central thermoregulation; some antihypertensive agents and vasodilators disrupt peripheral regulation; Other products may have altered absorption.
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