Hypothermia Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Normally, the body’s temperature is 98.6 degree F or 37 degree C. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s heat production decreases. Another factor that causes hypothermia is when the outside environment gets too cold. Hypo means “less” while thermia means “temperature”. Hypothermia is a condition wherein the body has lower temperature than 95 degree F or 35 degree C.

What causes hypothermia?

• Hypothermia occurs due to prolonged contact to cold weather. When you wear inadequate clothes during cold weather, your body is not covered enough to prevent heat loss. When you immerse in water, it speed up hypothermia as well.

Victims usually are not aware that they have hypothermia already while the situation becomes worse like they may find it to think clearly.

What are the Risk Factors for hypothermia?

People with Alzheimer’s disease can be exposed to hypothermia. Mental status also can lead to cold exposure. Age is another risk factor for hypothermia. Babies cannot efficiently generate heat. They are at risk for heat loss during cold weather conditions. Very old people cannot generate heat as well especially those who have Parkinson’s disease wherein the ability to generate heat are less.

Drugs and alcohol widen the blood vessels near the skin. These two factors also decrease the effectiveness of the shivering mechanism.

Patients with hormonal abilities and with spinal cord injuries are likely to experience hypothermia as well as patients who have suffered from strokes.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia:

A person who has hypothermia will experience shivering that is uncontrollable. He needs to generate heat if he noticed that shivering does not stop quickly because of the cold weather. A person who has this illness will feel tired and unaware. This is the reason why asking for help is impossible for a person.

A person who has hypothermia cannot do things with their hands than usual and he loses the ability to think correctly and to act properly.

Natural Treatment of Hypothermia

If you know someone who is in the state of hypothermia, first aid treatment must be done immediately. The following procedure may be done:

1. You have to handle the victim very gently. You must lay him flat in a warm and dry place. If his clothes are wet, you have to remove the clothes and change them with dry clothes. Wrap the victim in blanket after this.
2. You have to check their breathing and heartbeat.
3. The next step is to give the victim warm water or any warm liquids except caffeine and alcohol of course.
4. You should also ask the help of medical experts. Hypothermia is not a simple illness. It needs proper medications as well aside from first aid.

Hypothermia Prevention

If visiting cold places should not be avoided, you have to make sure that you bring someone with you. It is very important to have a companion when you are going to a cold place for a long period of time. Both of you should learn the first aid if in case one of you will experience hypothermia.