by KYW's Mike DeNardo
It's colder than it's been since last winter, and a doctor says there are things we can do to help our bodies deal with the sub-freezing temperatures.
Friday's early morning temperatures were in the low teens, and AccuWeather says they weren't moving beyond the 20s all day.
Dr. Jim Davis, of Internal Medicine at Jefferson University Hospital, says in weather like this your body will tell you when the cold has crossed from a nuisance to a serious health problem:
"You can get an increased pulse rate, increased blood pressure. All of these things, and especially in patients that are elderly or have pre-existing medical problems, can put a strain on their heart and basically cause otherwise stable problems to become unstable and dangerous."
In the bitter cold weather, Davis advises to dress warmly in layers with wool or synthetic materials -- not cotton, which doesn't hold the heat that well.
He also says to stay hydrated and nourished.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
