Good morning!

Like yours, our hearts go out to the humans and animals affected by the wildfires. These organizations are accepting donations.

We hope you’re safe and warm, and maybe have a cup of coffee. It’s about to get cold around the U.S.

We have seen some snow shovelers in the ER this winter. Every year it seems like there are more and more.

Thoughts:

1. If you have been relatively sedentary, don’t do it – don’t shovel. There are plenty of kids around who want the cash. You will enable them to buy EA Sports College Football allowing them to try and defeat their arch rival. Therefore, safely consider your money an investment in our kids’ cognitive performances. Plus you will be the “cool” neighbor. 

2. Want to do it yourself? Consider a snowblower.

Talk about making the neighbors happy. Plus there is much less stress on the ticker. You’ll be In and out of that frigid weather in a hurry.   

3. “Doc, I’m dying to get out and shovel. I LIVE for it.” Ok, I get it – I like it too. If you need to do this and you’ve not been taking part in strenuous exercise – talk to your doctor about whether or not you need a stress test. Oh, I get it – this is the catch. This is how you get paid, right doc? Nope, we don’t care where you get your stress test – as long as you get one if necessary.

4. Please keep your face (and everything else) well covered. Let your scarf or mask warm the air coming into your lungs. Hats are crucial.  Studies have shown up to 10% of our body heat is lost through our head (the 50% thing is a medical myth).

5. Please respect the wind and snow—they steal your body heat. Wind is very concerning because it removes the layer of heated air surrounding our bodies. 

6. No alcohol before going outside or while outside. Feels warm I know – it isn’t. It causes vasodilatation of our skin’s vessels making us feel warm. But then the warmth goes away and we are left outside freezing our rear end off. 

7. If all this fails, you are outside lifting wet snow, and chest pain or an anginal equivalent (shoulder, arm, jaw, etc.) hits – STOP, DROP, and ROLL. Wait a minute. I’m sorry, it’s not stop, drop, and roll. It’s 9-1-1. Please get inside, chew 4 baby aspirin, and call 9-1-1. What was I thinking?

Walk with a Doc wants you to enjoy the great outdoors this winter, but please be careful. When the weather just doesn’t cooperate and you can’t get outside – consider an indoor walk instead.

Also, if you feel there is someone you love who may benefit from these reminders – please forward this to them.

Thank you, and so happy for you that it’s FRIDAY!!!

david