The Scottish Ambulance Service took hundreds of people to hospital during freezing weather last month.
Ambulances were called out to 800 people suffering from hypothermia during freezing weather in Scotland., showed that about 44 people a day were taken to hospital between 1 and 18 December.
According to the SAS figures, 799 people were taken to hospital from 1 December to 18 December with hypothermia - defined as a temperature of less than 35C.Orkney and Shetland had the lowest number of cases, where fewer than five people were admitted. He said: "We have been concerned for months that a particularly cold winter, coupled with the energy crisis, would mean that large numbers of older people would experience hypothermia or other serious issues linked to a low body temperature - such as heart attacks and strokes.A recent survey by Age ScotlandThe charity said the low temperatures and high cost of heating homes was a "recipe for disaster" for health and wellbeing.
Signs of hypothermia include: Shivering and pale, cold, dry skin. Disorientation, apathy or irrational behaviour. Impaired consciousness or lethargy. Slow and shallow breathing. Slow and weakening pulse.Mr Stachura said: "We know that hundreds of older people on low incomes are not heating their homes to comfortable levels, missing hot meals, or have been staying in cold homes alone for long periods of time.
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