Answer:
Explanation:
Every year tens of thousands of people across the UK die from conditions that can be linked to exposure to cold weather. But why? What is it about cold that causes us such problems?
Whatever the weather outside, or inside for that matter, our bodies fight a constant battle to keep internal conditions pretty much the same. We have a range of reflexes that kick in to keep our core temperature steady at around 37.5°C . This is so that our cells and organs are protected from damage.
When we start to get cold, our blood becomes thicker, which can cause clotting. Clotting can cause problems and is one of the reasons we see more heart attacks and strokes in the days following colder weather.
Being cold also affects our body’s ability to fight off infection. This is why in the weeks after the cold weather we see more deaths from infections like pneumonia, as lung conditions and coughs can develop into a more serious problem.
So, although many of us think the health risks of cold are confined to hypothermia, the reality is that many more people will die of heart and lung problems due to cold weather.
