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Hypothermia is a medical condition where the body temperature falls below the standard body temperature of 37°C, to 35°C and below. This occurs when the body fails to produce heat, which can cause the heart and other organs to malfunction. It includes brain malfunction, resulting in immobility, and inability to think well. If left untreated, it may lead to cardiac arrest, kidney failure, liver damage, or even death.
Hypothermia is caused by long exposure to cold weather or a cold place. It starts developing due to heat loss from a person’s skin, and through exhaling. When in a cold place, wind and moisture conditions contribute to the speed of heat being lost on the skin surface.
If the body feels cold, its first defense is shivering. This act tends to produce heat coming from the muscles. However, the brain, heart rate, and breathing will start functioning more slowly if the cold reaches the core body.
These are the types of hypothermia, categorized by their causes:
This occurs when the body temperature suddenly drops, due to getting wet in cold water and prolonged exposure to the cold.
This refers to body temperature remaining low for a very long time. It occurs when there is no proper access to heat or appropriate clothing against cold.
This occurs when the body fails to produce heat due to fatigue. It commonly affects people with health conditions and disorders.
This develops when the body fails to maintain the standard body temperature after surgery due to the prescribed anesthesia.
Hypothermia is difficult to recognize at the early stage as it builds up slowly. The symptoms for the different stages of hypothermia include the following:
Mild (32 to 35°C)
Moderate (28 to 32°C)
Severe (below 28°C)
Other symptoms include:
The risk factors, mostly situational, include the following:
Basic First Aid Intervention: What to Do in Emergency Situations
The initial diagnostic test for hypothermia is a body temperature test and physical examination to observe symptoms. However, some doctors include additional tests, such as monitoring heartbeat, blood testing, chest x-ray, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging, to look out for injuries and other health problems.
Most cases of hypothermia are preventable by the following measures:
When encountering someone with hypothermia, call for medical attention. While waiting, here are first aid guidelines that can help:
Medical treatments may be applied, depending on the stage of hypothermia. Some of these include:
Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature reaches below 35°C. It is an emergency that needs immediate medical attention. If left untreated at an early stage, it can cause organs to malfunction and affect body circulation. There are preventive measures and first aid guidelines available to prevent the development or worsening of hypothermia.
Learn more about First Aid here.
Use this calculator to check your body mass index (BMI) and find out if you're at a healthy weight. You can also use this tool to check your child's BMI.
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Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults
Accessed April 20, 2021
What is hypothermia?, https://familydoctor.org/condition/hypothermia/
Accessed April 20, 2021
Hypothermia, https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/dsd/documents/DDP/MedicalDirector/Hypothermia.pdf
Accessed April 20, 2021
Hypothermia (Low Body Temperature), https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21164-hypothermia-low-body-temperature
Accessed April 20, 2021
Hypothermia, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352688
Accessed April 20, 2021
Hypothermia, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682
Accessed April 20, 2021
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