Doctors warn: here's why hypothermia is dangerous in Israel
Doctors warn about the dangers of hypothermia in Israel due to a cold snap. The article explains three degrees of hypothermia, symptoms, first aid, and recommendations from the Ministry of Health, especially for the elderly.
Doctors warn about the dangers of hypothermia in Israel amid a cold wave. The article explains what hypothermia is—a drop in body temperature to 35°C or below—and describes three degrees of severity: mild (32–35°C), moderate (28–32°C), and severe (below 28°C). Symptoms of each stage are listed, from shivering and speech impairment to arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and coma. First aid recommendations include calling an ambulance, moving the person to a warm place, removing wet clothing, and starting resuscitation if necessary. In hospitals, warm saline IVs, abdominal lavage, mechanical ventilation, and ECMO are used. Israel's Ministry of Health advises maintaining a home temperature of 24°C, sealing drafts, dressing warmly, drinking 8–10 glasses of water a day, and staying active. Special attention is given to the elderly, who feel cold less acutely and may not complain about it. The article is informational and preventive, without advertising or commercial links.