Safety Tips in Extreme Cold

With temperatures in the single digits, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department asks residents to use caution when dealing with the cold weather.

During the cold weather, stay indoors whenever possible. However, if you must go outside, dress warmly in layered clothing, including a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens, a water-resistant coat and water-resistant boots. Avoid exertion, as cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. People with heart disease or high blood pressure should follow their doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other activities in the snow. When outside, avoid walking on ice, and keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible.

Be on the lookout for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, two common cold weather-related health problems. Warning signs of hypothermia, which is abnormally low body temperature, include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. If you detect symptoms of hypothermia, seek medical care immediately. Get the victim into a warm room and remove any wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first with an electric blanket, if available. Otherwise, use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothes, towels or sheets. Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not use alcoholic beverages.

Warnings signs for frostbite, or an injury to the body caused by freezing, include redness or pain in any skin area, white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numbness. If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care immediately. Get the victim into a warm room, and immerse the affected area in warm – not hot – water. Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it, as this can cause more damage. Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming, as the frostbitten areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for medical care, and all emergencies should be reported to a physician or health care provider.

Smoking Cessation Classes in Lexington, Kentucky

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department wants smokers to start the new year by stopping an old habit.

The health department is offering two classes designed for people who want to quit smoking. One class will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Jan. 11 at the Public Health Clinic North, 805A Newtown Circle, while the other will be 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Feb. 2 at Tates Creek Public Library, 3628 Walden Drive. To sign up for one of the classes or for more information, call 288-2423.

“Cooper-Clayton classes are one of the most effective methods we can offer a person who wants to quit smoking,” said Angela Brumley-Shelton, Community Education and Tobacco coordinator. “They work well because they provide social support and education and use nicotine replacement products. These three things work together to give a participant the best chance at stopping smoking for life.”

The Cooper-Clayton Method to stop Smoking provides 12 weeks of education and support sessions that have been proven effective for smokers no matter how long they’ve used tobacco products. The class requires a $50 registration deposit that will be reimbursed upon completion of the program if the person has completed all 12 classes and has remained smoke-free. Participants will receive nicotine replacement therapy products, such as nicotine gum, patches and lozenges, at no cost as long as they are smoke-free after the third week of the program.

The health department also uses the KY QUITLINE at 1-800-QUITNOW.

UK's Health Literacy Initiative

The University of Kentucky says Health Literacy is a growing need in Kentucky and in this country. They define "Health literacy [as the] ability of individuals to obtain, process, understand, and communicate about health information and to make informed health decisions. Some individuals are bewildered by the complexity of the healthcare system. Others cannot understand what is printed on their prescription drug labels. Still others do not ask their doctors questions for fear of appearing dumb.  Most of us have trouble understanding what our health insurance covers."

UK's College of Communications and Information Studies has partnered with various organizations to sponsor six public forums on health literacy. The next forum is scheduled for December 2.

All of the forums are recorded and will be posted at the UK CIS site.