Can staying in a car overnight in a winter storm lead to brain/cold injury?

Question

Last spring break some friends and I were forced to stay overnight in our car due to a heavy winter storm. I cracked open the window maybe 2mm during the night since I didn't want us to suffocate in the car (bad idea now I know). That night I only had on a light sweater and a sleeping bag to warm me, but no hat. It seems everyone else in the car had a hat that night.

Later that week and the months since then (this happened in March), I've been having occasional dull pains on the top and back of my head/nape area. I am really paranoid that this pain could have come from a possible 'cold injury' from that fateful winter storm sleepover in the car. I don't feel as sharp and quick as I used to be, is it possible some of my nerve/brain cells were permanently affected that night? Any advice appreciated! (and yes, I understand this isn't professional advice persay, but any thoughts would be nice)

Answer 1

Injuries from cold are primarily frostbite and hypothermia. If the outer layers of skin were not damaged it is doubtful you had any deeper tissue damage.

Lack of oxygen due to carbon monoxide buildup can indeed cause brain damage, but the cracked window prevented against that.

What most likely happened is you slept in a position that tweaked your neck and shifted your spine out of alignment. Headaches and pains would most certainly result from this, and should clear up with chiropractic adjustment.

Answer 2

yes. and i hope you die. =D

Answer 3

i lived in alaska for a year, and i live where it gets really cold in winter (neg 5 lowest, but the average is +2 or +3 during the winter with an average of 100 days below freezing in many years. I speak with authority on this issue

what you did is correct, and a candle can maintain the temp in the car at about 60-70 degrees depending on a lot of factors,

i would guess that the pain is due to a pinched nerve and a chiropractor could take care of this for you.

i honestly lived in a humvee (m998) for about 60 days in iraq and i still have problems with my back from sleeping in body armour on a 8 inch wide area consisting of 3 slats for sitting.

email me if you want to talk about this more, but i would go that route and you did the right thing.  you got it right and you lived

i am very impressed by your actions.

Answer 4

I don't believe you have any nerve damage from that night. Why you all didn't huddle together to keep warm I don't know, would have been a good idea, but that's in the past. It may be something that needs checking in to, so it probably wouldn't hurt to have a checkup by your Doctor. Good luck to you sir.

Answer 5

No.

If you won't take my word for it, have fun with a neurologist, but seriously.

No.