Hypothermia Facts

The normal internal temperature of the human body is 98.6 degrees.  Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature lowers to 96 or less.  The core is the area surrounding vital organs.  It wouldn't seem a significant temperature difference, but hypothermia can lead to death in extreme cases or to heart problems such as irregularity. 

Body temperature is a measure of metabolism, the rate at which the body's processes occur.  A low body temperature indicates a low metabolism.  This means life-critical body processes such as circulation and respiration have slowed down, weakening your body and exposing it to sicknesses. 

Hypothermia can occur under a number of conditions either outdoors or indoors.  Your body heat will drop significantly if you are wet or exposed to wind, especially cold wind.  Even in a sheltered area, an external temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit can lower your body temperature.  The type of clothing you wear also may allow your body temperature to lower quickly; tight fitting clothes aren't good for your circulation and don't leave much space to trap warm air that insulates your body. 

Who Is At Risk of Hypothermia
No matter what the weather is like, some people are more susceptible to hypothermia than others.  Age, health, and lifestyle affect your risk:

• Seniors, who are unable to maintain warmth or to identify feeling cold like younger people can
• Nutrition, as people who are very lean are a higher risk
• Health issues like diabetes, hypothyroidism and psoriasis can make the body lose warmth
• Medication use, as some medications can increase the loss of heat from the body
• Alcohol consumption closes veins, decreases circulation and increases body heat loss
• Dehydration decreases the body's ability to regulate temperature

Symptoms of Hypothermia
Hypothermia commonly results in the '-umbles,' as in sufferers often will mumble, fumble, and stumble.  Watch out for the following:

• Confused speech
• Sleepiness
• Shallow breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Change in appearance
• Behavior changes
• Extremity stiffness
• Excessive shivering -- or none at all
• Poor coordination

Treating Hypothermia
Hypothermia can only be accurately diagnosed and treated by a doctor or other medical professional.  If you think someone has hypothermia, use a standard thermometer to take his or her temperature.  Immediately call for emergency help if that temperature is below 96 degrees F. 

While waiting for help:

• Keep the victim warm and dry
• Wrap him or her in warming layers
• Do not rub his or her skin; the thinner skin of seniors can be torn easily
• Offer warm non-caffeinated fluids and calorie- or fat-rich foods

Some physicians have special thermometers to measure internal temperature.  If hypothermia is present, the patient's body must be warmed from the inside out.  To generate more warmth, the physician may wrap the patient's body and administer warmed intravenous fluids. 

Preventing Hypothermia
Hypothermia can be avoided by taking the following precautions:

• Set your house thermostats no lower than 68 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit
• Note weather conditions and wind chill factors
• Dress appropriately
• Keep your feet and your head properly covered
• Wear layers of loose-fitting insulated clothing
• Maintain a balanced diet and drink enough fluids

Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition.  You can't control the weather, but you can take simple precautions to maintain your health this winter.