Effects and mechanisms of extremely cold environment on body response after trauma

J Therm Biol. 2023 May:114:103570. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103570. Epub 2023 Apr 27.

Abstract

With the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, extremely cold environment warfare has once again become the focus of international attention. People exposed to extremely cold environments may suffer from cold damage, further aggravate trauma, trigger high disability and mortality rates, and even cause serious sequelae. To declare the effects and mechanisms of the extremely cold environment on the body after trauma, this paper reviews, firstly, physiological reaction of human body in an extremely cold environment. Then, the post-traumatic body response in an extremely cold environment was introduced, and finally, the sequelae of trauma in extremely cold environment was further summarized in the paper. The results indicated that extremely cold environment can cause a series of damage to the body, especially the body after trauma. The extremely cold factor is a double-edged sword, showing a favorable and unfavorable side in different aspects. Moreover, in addition to the trauma suffered by the body, the subsequent sequelae such as cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder may also be induced. The paper summarizes the human body's physiological response in an extremely cold environment, and declares the effects and mechanisms of the extremely cold environment on the body after trauma, which may provide a theoretical basis for effectively improving the level of combat trauma treatment in extremely cold regions.

Keywords: Extremely cold environment; Post-traumatic body reaction; Psychic trauma; Trauma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety
  • Humans
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy