Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops too low — below 35°C. It can lead to serious health problems and even death, so you need to get immediate medical attention if you think that you or someone else is experiencing hypothermia.
Hypothermia may cause:
It can be hard to tell when you have hypothermia because symptoms come on slowly and you will likely feel confused. However, you may be able to recognize signs that someone else is suffering from this condition.
If you are worried that someone has hypothermia, take their temperature. Get them help right away if their body temperature is less than 35°C.
Hypothermia develops when you are in a cold environment for too long. Although your body can produce some heat to keep itself warm, too much cold can lead to a situation in which you are losing body heat faster than your body can make it.
Usually, hypothermia develops when temperatures drop extremely low. However, you can also experience the condition in cool temperatures if your clothes become wet from rain or sweat.
Infants and older adults are more likely to experience hypothermia if they are in cold environments. Alcohol or drug use can also increase risk. Those who spend a lot of time outside, such as hunters or people who are homeless also have a greater chance of developing hypothermia.
Your risk of hypothermia also rises when you are tired. Certain medical conditions, including thyroid problems, anorexia nervosa, diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease, can also make you more likely to be affected by the cold. Finally, your chances of developing hypothermia are increased by medications like antidepressants and pain medications.
If hypothermia goes untreated, your brain, nerves, lungs, and heart may become damaged and stop working as they should. Tissues that are exposed to cold air may also experience damage (frostbite) or death (gangrene).
If you think someone has hypothermia, seek emergency medical care. While you wait, you can try the following strategies to warm them up:
The person should still get medical attention even if you successfully warm them up to a normal body temperature.
If you may be exposed to cold temperatures, you can protect yourself and others from hypothermia by: