Hypothermia is a drop in the temperature of the body usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. A high risk of cold exposure increases during the winter months.
The normal temperature of the body is 98.6 degrees, but if suffering from hypothermia, the temperature drops below 95 degrees. Furthermore, in severe cases of hypothermia, the temperature can drop to 82 degress or below.
Causes of hypothermia
- Hypothermia can develop after exposure to cold temperatures without enough warmth and dry clothing for protection. Mountain climbers avoid hypothermia by wearing specialized gear suited for windy and icy environments.
Protect the affected person against wind, draft and further loss of heat with dry warm clothes and blankets - A mild environment can also cause hypothermia which depends on the age of the person, body mass, body fat, health and length of time of exposure to the cold temperature.
- Conditions such as diabetes and thyroid conditions, taking certain medications, consumption of alcohol and severe trauma can put an individual at high risk of developing hypothermia.
Symptoms
- At first, a slow and shallow breathing
- Shivering which stops as hypothermia becomes severe
- A slow and weak pulse
- When severe, the person can become unconscious without signs of breathing or pulse.
- Confusion and loss of memory
- Drowsiness or exhaustion
- Slurred speech
- Fumbling hands, loss of coordination and stumbling on steps
- Lastly, a temperature for a mild type is 89-95 degrees F, moderate type is 82-89 degrees F and severe type is lower than 82 degrees F. Remember that the temperatures vary for every individual.
Treatment
- Remove any wet clothes, gloves, hats, shoes and socks from the body.
- Protect the affected person against wind, draft and further loss of heat with dry warm clothes and blankets
- Move the person to a dry room as soon as possible.
- Give the affected person warm broth that has calories, warm milk or decaffeinated tea to prevent dehydration. Foods rich in carbohydrates releases energy to the bloodstream and provide a sudden rise of heat in the body.
- Share body heat to raise body temperatures.
- Apply a warm compress to the chest, neck ang groin. Avoid applying warm compress on the arms or legs to prevent cold blood from returning to the lungs or heart.
Tips
- Wear warm clothing in the cold and stay dry. Avoid performing activities that result to excessive sweating in cold weather.
- Keep an emergency kit in the car whenever driving in winter. Keep a supply of blankets, matches, food and water.
- If falling accidentally in cold water, get out of the water as soon as possible to prevent hypothermia. Avoid attempting to swim unless near a shore and avoid removing the clothes while still in the cold water.
More Information / Disclaimer
The information posted on this page on hypothermia is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize and manage hypothermia by taking a standard first aid course with one of our training providers.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-hypothermia#1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682