Alcohol Increases the Risk of Cold Injury
Topic Overview
Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of injury from cold exposure. Alcohol:
- Changes your body's ability to regulate body temperature.
- Changes your judgment. For example, a person may not put on more clothing when it is needed if his or her judgment is changed by alcohol.
- Can cause blood vessels in the skin to get bigger (dilate). This increases heat loss.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Current as ofNovember 20, 2017
Current as of:
November 20, 2017