For many of us we are still in the throes of summer but give it a few months and the cold weather will start creeping in and before you know it winter will be upon us.

Many choose to stay indoors and wrap up with warm clothing when they want to go out.   However, as one ages, we can be vulnerable to colder temperatures and some are even at risk of getting hypothermia.

Hypothermia is often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water. Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. A normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).

When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can’t work normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death.

Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Shivering
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Confusion or memory loss
• Loss of consciousness
• Bright red, cold skin (in infants)

The opposite of hypothermia is hyperthermia.  This is when you increase the body’s temperature.  Even a 1.8 degree increase in temperature may improve the function of your immune system and stimulate your metabolism

Many types of local and whole-body hyperthermia therapies are used in modern medicine for cancer treatment and other medical conditions such as focused ultrasound, microwave heating, induction heating, magnetic hyperthermia and infrared sauna.

Recently, far infrared (FIR) heat for treatment has been made available for everyone for individual use. FIR heat is the same heat produced by our bodies and the sun. It was discovered that this type of heat could be harnessed and applied to the body, creating healing effects.   When applied to the body, FIR heat increases blood flow, stimulates the lymphatic system and raises body temperature (which is the body’s natural way of fighting off infection).  With the increased blood and lymph flows in the area being treated, the affected area can be cleaned of unwanted toxins in the area as well as receive the nutrients its needs to further heal.  This was a breakthrough in the field of natural healing.

Unlike typical electric heat pads which only heat the skin on contact, the far infrared rays produced by our mats provide a deeply penetrating heat that reaches up to four inches into the body.  This heat raises body temperature, increasing blood flow and heat.  Combined with the detoxification of harmful toxins and waste products, one’s overall health and resistance to disease are greatly improved.

Now we have created a FIR mat which you can use in your own home.  This is a very safe and effective natural healing method and is especially helpful to make one more comfortable and relaxed at any time of the year as well as in the colder months.