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What should I do if I have hypothermia?
How do I protect my body from hypothermia?
What is emergency medical care for hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you notice any of the above signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95° F, get medical attention immediately! If you are not able to get medical help right away, try to warm the person up. Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
Jan 21, 2022 · 2. Take action to help the person get warm. [6] Don't heat the person's body too fast; instead, do it gradually, so that the shock of the heat doesn't cause further damage. Helping the person's body temperature warm to a safe level is the most important step in treating hypothermia.
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Complications
- Prevention
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C). When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system a...
Shivering is likely the first thing you'll notice as the temperature starts to drop because it's your body's automatic defense against cold temperature — an attempt to warm itself. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include: 1. Shivering 2. Slurred speech or mumbling 3. Slow, shallow breathing 4. Weak pulse 5. Clumsiness or lack of coordination 6. D...
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it produces it. The most common causes of hypothermia are exposure to cold-weather conditions or cold water. But prolonged exposure to any environment colder than your body can lead to hypothermia if you aren't dressed appropriately or can't control the conditions. Specific conditions leading...
Risk factors for hypothermia include: 1. Exhaustion.Your tolerance for cold diminishes when you are fatigued. 2. Older age.The body's ability to regulate temperature and to sense cold may lessen with age. And some older adults may not be able to communicate when they are cold or to move to a warm location if they do feel cold. 3. Very young age.Chi...
People who develop hypothermia because of exposure to cold weather or cold water are also vulnerable to other cold-related injuries, including: 1. Freezing of body tissues (frostbite) 2. Decay and death of tissue resulting from an interruption in blood flow (gangrene)
Staying warm in cold weather
Before you or your children step out into cold air, remember the advice that follows with the simple acronym COLD — cover, overexertion, layers, dry: 1. Cover.Wear a hat or other protective covering to prevent body heat from escaping from your head, face and neck. Cover your hands with mittens instead of gloves. 2. Overexertion.Avoid activities that would cause you to sweat a lot. The combination of wet clothing and cold weather can cause you to lose body heat more quickly. 3. Layers.Wear loo...
Keeping children safe from the cold
To help prevent hypothermia when children are outside in the winter: 1. Dress infants and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear in the same conditions. 2. Bring children indoors if they start shivering — that's the first sign that hypothermia is starting. 3. Have children come inside frequently to warm themselves when they're playing outside. 4. Don't let babies sleep in a cold room.
Winter car safety
Whenever you're traveling during bad weather, be sure someone knows where you're headed and at what time you're expected to arrive. That way, if you get into trouble on your way, emergency responders will know where to look for your car. It's also a good idea to keep emergency supplies in your car in case you get stranded. Supplies may include several blankets, matches, candles, a clean can where you can melt snow into drinking water, a first-aid kit, dry or canned food, a can opener, tow rop...
Apr 16, 2024 · Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat and the body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Hypothermia is often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water. Ongoing exposure to cool indoor temperatures also can cause ...
Aug 17, 2023 · Hypothermia symptoms vary based on the severity of the condition. The stages of hypothermia include mild, moderate and severe. Mild hypothermia. Mild hypothermia means your body temperature is between 95 F and 89.6 F (35 C and 32 C). Signs of mild hypothermia include: Shivering and chattering teeth. Exhaustion. Clumsiness, slow movements and ...
Apr 16, 2024 · The extreme heat can damage the skin. It also can trigger irregular heartbeats that cause the heart to stop. Medical treatment. Depending on the severity of hypothermia, emergency medical care for hypothermia may include one of the following interventions to raise the body temperature: Passive rewarming.
To prevent more serious problems, take action as soon as you notice early signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Get out of the cold, wind, rain, or snow if possible. Add warm layers of clothing. Eat carbohydrates. Drink fluids. Move your body to help warm your core. Do jumping jacks or flap your arms.
