Online Reporter
Dr Tendai Zuze
Health Matters
AS temperatures continue to drop across Zimbabwe, the risks associated with prolonged exposure to cold weather become more pronounced.
Extreme cold is more than an inconvenience — it can pose serious health threats, particularly to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, people with chronic illnesses, and those living in poorly insulated homes or without access to adequate heating.
One of the most significant medical concerns during cold weather is hypothermia, a condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.
Hypothermia sets in when core body temperature falls below 35°C.
Early signs include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness.
If not treated promptly, it can lead to loss of consciousness and death.
Even moderate cold, when combined with wet clothing or wind exposure, can bring on hypothermia more quickly than most people realise.
Frostbite is another cold-related complication, though less commonly seen in Zimbabwe.
It occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze, typically affecting fingers, toes, ears, and the nose.
While rare, individuals who work outdoors or sleep outside are at risk, especially in high-altitude or high-exposure areas.
Cold weather can also worsen existing cardiovascular conditions.
Low temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which increases blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder.
This can trigger heart attacks, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart disease or hypertension.
Activities such as shovelling snow or walking long distances in the cold further increase this risk.
Respiratory illnesses are more frequent and more severe in winter.
Cold air can irritate airways, worsening asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Infections like influenza and pneumonia also spread more easily when people crowd together indoors to escape the cold.
The immune system’s response may be weakened by cold exposure, making it easier for viruses to gain a foothold.
There are also significant risks associated with common heating practices.
The use of charcoal braziers (mbaura) and open fires in poorly ventilated rooms can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
This colourless, odourless gas can accumulate quickly in closed spaces and causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, and confusion.
High levels can lead to unconsciousness and death.
Every winter, there are tragic reports of families who succumb to carbon monoxide exposure in their sleep.
Cold weather can exacerbate joint and muscle pain, particularly in people with arthritis.
Reduced physical activity due to colder conditions also contributes to stiffness and reduced mobility, especially in the elderly.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to maintain warm indoor environments, ensure proper ventilation when using heaters or fires, wear adequate clothing, and stay physically active.
Special attention should be paid to elderly individuals and people with chronic illnesses.
Community health programmes and clinics should emphasise winter-specific risks during this time and provide guidance on preventive measures.
As winter deepens, understanding the medical complications of extreme cold is essential for timely prevention and treatment.
Cold weather is not just a seasonal discomfort — it is a public health concern that demands awareness and action.
For more on cold related health conditions, contact [email protected].
