Hypothermia occurs when your body
temperature drops below
normal. It develops when your body loses heat faster than heat can be produced
by metabolism, muscle contractions, and shivering.
Early symptoms indicating mild
to moderate hypothermia include:
Later symptoms of severe hypothermia
include:
Shivering may stop if your body
temperature drops below 35.5°C (96°F).
Hypothermia is an emergency. It
can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death if the heat loss continues.
Hypothermia can happen at temperatures of 7°C (45°F) or even higher
in wet and windy weather. Frail and
inactive people can develop hypothermia indoors if they are not dressed warmly.
Early recognition is very important
in the treatment of hypothermia. Often a hiker or skier will lose heat to
a critical degree before others notice anything is wrong. If someone starts
to shiver violently, stumble, or respond incoherently to questions, suspect
hypothermia and warm the person quickly.
Whenever you plan to be outdoors
for several hours in cold weather, take the following precautions:
Dress warmly and wear windproof, waterproof clothing.
Wear fabrics that remain warm even when wet, such as wool or polypropylene.
Wear a warm hat. An unprotected head loses a great deal
of the body's total heat.
Head for shelter if you get wet or cold.
Eat well before going out and carry extra food.
Don't drink alcohol while in the cold. Alcohol makes
your body lose heat faster.
Older or less active people can
prevent indoor hypothermia by dressing warmly and keeping room temperatures
above 18°C (65°F).
The goal of home or "in-the-field"
treatment is to stop additional heat loss and slowly rewarm the person.
Warming 1° per hour is best.
For mild cases, get the person out of the cold and wind.
Give the person dry or wool clothing to wear.
For moderate cases, remove cold, wet clothes first. Then
warm the person with your own body heat by wrapping a blanket or sleeping
bag around both of you.
Give warm liquids to drink and high-energy foods, such
as candy, to eat. Do not give food or drink if the person is disoriented
or unconscious. Do not give alcoholic beverages.
Rewarming the person in warm water can cause shock or
heart attack. However, in emergency situations when help is not available
and other Home Treatments are not working, you can use a warm water
bath (37.8° to 40.6°C or 100° to 105°F) as a last
resort.
Call 911 or seek emergency care
if the person seems confused or
loses consciousness and remains unconscious.
Call your doctor:
If the victim is a child or an older adult. It's a good
idea to call regardless of the severity of the symptoms.
If the person's body temperature does not return to normal
after 4 hours of warming.