Health Tip
What is Hypothermia
When
exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster
than it can be produced. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally
low body
temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making
a person unable to think clearly or move well. Therefore, hypothermia
is particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening
and won’t be able to do anything about it.
Hypothermia
occurs most often at very cold environmental temperatures, but it can
occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person
becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Victims of hypothermia are most often:
- Elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
- Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
- Children left unattended
- Adults under the influence of alcohol
- Mentally ill individuals
- People who remain outdoors doe long periods of time, such as the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
- Shivering
- Exhaustion
- Confusion/memory loss
- Slurred Speech
- Fumbling hands
- Drowsiness
- Bright red, cold skin
- Very low energy
- Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
- If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
- Warm the center
of the person’s body first, the chest, neck, and groin, using an electric
blanket if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers
of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
- Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do NOT give the person alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
- After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.
A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should be continued while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds, or until medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
Jan. 20, 2005