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Hypothermia

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Exercise - dress appropriately
Exercise - dress appropriately
Skin layers
Skin layers

Alternative Names    Return to top

Low body temperature; Cold exposure

Definition    Return to top

Hypothermia is dangerously low body temperature, below 95°F (35°C).

Considerations    Return to top

People most likely to experience hypothermia include:

Causes    Return to top

Hypothermia occurs when more heat is lost than the body can generate. It is usually caused by extended exposure to the cold.

Common causes include:

Symptoms    Return to top

As people develop hypothermia, their abilities to think and move are often lost slowly. In fact, they may even be unaware that they need emergency treatment. Someone with hypothermia also is likely to have frostbite.

The symptoms include:

Lethargy, cardiac arrest, shock, and coma can set in without prompt treatment. Hypothermia can be fatal.

First Aid    Return to top

  1. If any symptoms of hypothermia are present, especially confusion or changes in mental status, immediately call 911.
  2. If the person is unconscious, check airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing or CPR. If the victim is breathing less than 6 breaths per minute, begin rescue breathing.
  3. Take the person inside to room temperature and cover him or her with warm blankets. If going indoors is not possible, get the person out of the wind and use a blanket to provide insulation from the cold ground. Cover the person's head and neck to help retain body heat.
  4. Once inside, remove any wet or constricting clothes and replace them with dry clothing.
  5. Warm the person. If necessary, use your own body heat to aid the warming. Apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall, and groin. If the person is alert and can easily swallow, give warm, sweetened, nonalcoholic fluids to aid the warming.
  6. Stay with the person until medical help arrives.

DO NOT    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call 911 anytime you suspect someone has hypothermia. Give first aid while awaiting emergency assistance.

Prevention    Return to top

Before you spend time outside in the cold, DO NOT drink alcohol or smoke. Drink plenty of fluid and get adequate food and rest.

Wear proper clothing in cold temperatures to protect your body. These include:

Avoid:

References    Return to top

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: London: Mosby; 2002:1979-1996.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Ford MD, ed. Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2001:244-247.

Update Date: 1/16/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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