When winter weather moves in, there can be an increase in illnesses.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf warns that illnesses aren’t the only thing that comes with the cold though. He says that freezing temperatures can affect the body as well, causing some different conditions to occur, usually hypothermia and frostbite. Kempf advises that hypothermia shuts down the body’s ability to keep itself warm by shivering, while frostbite occurs when the water in a person’s cells freezes.

Kempf tells Raccoon Valley Radio, that depending on the severity, there are a few ways to try and recover from both conditions, but that if it’s too severe, individuals should see a doctor.

“And of course, in either one of those situations, you’ve got the possibility if it’s severe enough, you’re going to want to seek medical attention. Especially with hypothermia, because with that body temperature going down, that could do a lot of things to our internal organs. Hypothermia is very hard on the heart, and stuff like that. So you would definitely want to seek some medical attention if you think that’s something you might be suffering from.”

Kempf mentions that if symptoms aren’t that severe though, there are a few things people can do at home to recover. For frostbite, he says to run the affected area under warm water. Kempf says hot water shouldn’t be used, because it can cause more damage, but warm water will help to thaw out the cells. For hypothermia, he says to wrap the affected individual in several layers. This will help to trap heat around them, and warm them up. Kempf adds that shivering is a good thing, so if the individual starts shivering again everything’s on the right track.