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Hypothermia
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Unlike warmblooded animals that have a
layer of hair or blubber to keep them warm, you need an extra layer of
clothing to keep you warm when it's cold outside. Without that extra
layer of clothing, more heat escapes from your body than your body can
produce. If too much heat escapes, the result is hypothermia. Exposure
to cold water and certain medical conditions also can cause hypothermia.
Hypothermia occurs when your body's
control mechanisms fail to maintain a normal body temperature. Your
normal core body temperature is usually right around 36.8 C. An internal
body temperature of 36 C or lower signals hypothermia.
- 34 - 36 C (mild hypothermia)
- 30 - 33.9 C (moderate hypothermia)
- < 30 C (severe hypothermia)
Signs and symptoms that may develop
include gradual loss of mental and physical abilities. Severe
hypothermia can lead to death. Hypothermia isn't a
serious risk.
Those at greatest risk are older adults, children, people who are
mentally ill or have Alzheimer's disease and lose their judgment about
when to seek shelter, and people who are intoxicated, homeless or caught
in cold weather because their vehicle has broken down.
Wearing protective clothing and taking
other precautions can ensure that your body temperature doesn't drop to
deadly levels. Paying attention to what may be early signs and symptoms
of hypothermia also is important.
Risk factors
Extreme
cold, wet clothes — especially in the presence of wind — and being in
cold water can all play a part in increasing your chances of
hypothermia. People who are elderly, very young or have certain health
issues are especially vulnerable.
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Risks
to older adults
People
age 65 and older are especially vulnerable because they may have other
illnesses or take medications that can interfere with the body's ability
to regulate temperature.
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Risks
to the very young
Children can lose heat faster than adults do. Children have a larger
head-to-body ratio than adults do, making them more prone to heat loss
through the head. Children may also ignore the cold because they're
having too much fun to think about it. And they may not have the
judgment to dress properly in cold weather or to get out of the cold
when they feel cold. Infants may have a special problem with the cold
because they have less efficient mechanisms for generating heat.
Other
factors that may place you at risk
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Psychiatric
disorders.
Individuals who have Alzheimer's disease or another illness that
causes mental impairment may not be aware of the risks of being out
in the cold. Wandering away from home is not uncommon among people
with Alzheimer's, and many are unable to find their way back on
their own, leaving them stranded and vulnerable to the weather.
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Alcohol
consumption.
Alcohol may make your body feel warm inside, but it lowers your
body's ability to retain heat. Don't drink alcohol and operate a
boat or other watercraft. Alcohol can impair your ability to
navigate the waters, increasing your risk of an accident and of
falling into cold water.
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Medical
conditions.
Some health disorders affect the body's ability to respond to cold
or to produce heat. Examples include untreated underactive thyroid
(hypothyroidism), stroke, severe arthritis, Parkinson's disease,
trauma, spinal cord injuries, burns, blood vessel or nerve disorders
that affect sensation in your extremities (for example, peripheral
neuropathy in people with diabetes), dehydration and any condition
that limits activity or restrains the normal flow of blood. Older
adults are more likely to have one or more of these risk factors.
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Water
temperature.
Another factor contributing to your risk of hypothermia is the
length of time you're in cold water. Rescue time is crucial when a
person accidentally falls into cold water. Chances of survival are
affected by how cold the water is. The colder the water, the less
the chance of survival.
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