NBC New York: Local News, Weather, and More
- A prolonged deep freeze continues to grip the tri-state area, and authorities report a growing number of cold-related deaths. Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed at least 10 New York...
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines hypothermia as a dangerous condition occurring when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.
- While most common in extremely cold weather, hypothermia can develop in cooler temperatures (around 40°F) if a person is exposed to chilled rain, sweat, or cold water.
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A prolonged deep freeze continues to grip the tri-state area, and authorities report a growing number of cold-related deaths. Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed at least 10 New York City residents have died after being found outdoors in the bitterly cold weather over the past few days. Hypothermia was a contributing factor in seven of those deaths,according to NBC New York.
What is Hypothermia?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines hypothermia as a dangerous condition occurring when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. The CDC explains that this leads to a dangerously lowered body temperature.
While most common in extremely cold weather, hypothermia can develop in cooler temperatures (around 40°F) if a person is exposed to chilled rain, sweat, or cold water.
Why is Hypothermia Dangerous?
“Body temperature that is to low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well,” the CDC states. “This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.”
Severe hypothermia can cause the body to shut down, leading to unconsciousness, a lack of pulse, and difficulty breathing. This can be fatal, and survivors may experience lasting damage to their kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
Warning Signs
Adults experiencing hypothermia may exhibit the following warning signs:
- Memory loss
- uncontrollable shivering
- Disorientation
- Incoherence
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness