Dr. Howard Selinger, chair of family medicine at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. Photo by John Hassett.
With an arctic blast expected to send local temperatures down into the single digits later this week, Dr. Howard Selinger, chair of family medicine at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, has prepared the following tips for staying warm and comfortable:
- Layer your clothing. This allows for an insulating layer of air. Wear a base layer (a wicking material works best here to remove moisture and sweat that may result from outdoor exercise) a mid-layer (which could be that windbreaker) and an outer layer. A good down jacket can also work because the feathers in the down create multiple insulating layers of air
- Always be sure to cover your head as a great deal of heat is lost through the top of the head
- Make an effort to stay hydrated because in the winter, there is a diminished thirst response by up to 40%, increased urine production and increased respiratory fluid loss. In addition, heavy clothing increases sweating, which evaporates more quickly
- Avoid alcohol because it lowers the core body temperature
- Wear sunglasses because they protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation reflecting off the snow. This especially applies to those who have had cataract surgery and do not have a UV absorbing lenses and those with pre-existing retinal conditions
- Avoid direct skin exposure to the cold by wearing facemasks and neck protection to prevent frostbite.
If you’re interested in speaking to Selinger, please call John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, at 203-206-4449 (cell) or 203-582-5359 (office).