Hypothermia
Definition and Overview
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature averages around 37 degrees Celsius; hypothermia sets in when the body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. Thermoregulation, the body's heat regulation mechanism, fails during hypothermia, leading to critical conditions if not promptly addressed.
Causes
Hypothermia is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. The risk of hypothermia increases in freezing or cold weather, but hypothermia can occur even at cool temperatures above freezing if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Environmental Hypothermia
Environmental hypothermia is caused by exposure to natural elements. This can occur when you stay in cold weather, especially if you are wet or improperly dressed for the weather. Submersion in cold water can also quickly lead to hypothermia, as water conducts heat away from the body much more efficiently than air.
Induced Hypothermia
In some cases, hypothermia is induced medically. This is done under careful monitoring in a hospital setting, usually during certain surgeries to slow the patient's metabolic rate.
Symptoms
Hypothermia symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. In mild hypothermia, symptoms can include shivering, dizziness, hunger, nausea, faster breathing, trouble speaking, slight confusion, lack of coordination, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
As hypothermia worsens, symptoms evolve into more serious ones such as clumsiness or lack of coordination, slurred speech or mumbling, confusion and poor decision-making, drowsiness or very low energy, lack of concern about one's condition, progressive loss of consciousness, weak pulse, and slow, shallow breathing.
Diagnosis
Hypothermia is diagnosed based on a person's physical symptoms and medical history. A diagnosis may be confirmed after the patient's body temperature is measured and found to be below 35 degrees Celsius. In a hospital, a diagnosis may be confirmed using a special low-reading thermometer in the rectum, bladder, esophagus or blood vessels.
Treatment
Treatment for hypothermia depends on the severity of hypothermia. Mild hypothermia can be treated with warming techniques including moving to a warmer place, removing wet clothing, covering the body with blankets, consuming warm beverages, and using warm compresses.
In severe cases, hospital treatment is required. This can include warmed intravenous fluids, warm, humid oxygen, and a procedure called cardiopulmonary bypass which warms the blood externally.
Prevention
Prevention of hypothermia involves staying warm and dry, dressing appropriately for the weather, and understanding the risks and symptoms of hypothermia. It's important to wear layers of loose, warm clothing, which traps insulating air in between the layers. Waterproof outer layers are recommended in wet conditions.
