Hypothermia is characterized by a body temperature below 35ºC, which happens when the body loses more heat than it can generate, and is usually caused by prolonged stay in very cold environments.
The temperature decrease occurs in three stages:
- The temperature drops between 1 and 2ºC, causing chills and mild numbness in the hands or feet; The temperature drops between 2 and 4ºC, which makes the extremities start to turn blue; The temperature drops even more, which can lead to loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing.
Thus, whenever the first symptoms of hypothermia appear, it is important to try to increase the body temperature, wrapping up and staying in a warm place, for example, to prevent the low temperature from causing serious effects on the body.
See what first aid for hypothermia cases, in order to increase the temperature.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of hypothermia vary according to severity, the main ones being:
| Mild hypothermia (33 to 35º) | Moderate hypothermia (30 to 33º) | Severe or severe hypothermia (less than 30º) |
| Tremors | Violent and uncontrollable tremors | Loss of control of arms and legs |
| Cold hands and feet | Slow and shaky speech | Loss of senses |
| Numbness in arms and legs | Slower, weaker breathing | Shallow breathing and may even stop |
| Loss of dexterity | Weak heartbeat | Irregular or nonexistent heartbeat |
| Tiredness | Difficulty in controlling body movements | Dilated pupils |
In addition, in moderate hypothermia, there may be lack of attention and loss of memory or drowsiness, which can progress to amnesia in the case of severe hypothermia.
In the baby, the signs of hypothermia are cold skin, less reaction, the baby is very quiet and refuses to eat. When you notice the first symptoms, it is important to go to the pediatrician so that treatment can be started. See what signs of child hypothermia to watch out for.
What can cause hypothermia
The most common cause of hypothermia is staying too long in a very cold environment or in cold water, however, any prolonged exposure to cold can result in hypothermia.
Some other recurrent causes include:
- Malnutrition; Heart disease; Low thyroid activity; Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
In addition, there are some risk groups that have an easier time losing body temperature, such as children, the elderly, people who use drugs or alcohol in excess and even people with mental problems that prevent the correct assessment of body needs.
Although in most cases hypothermia can be reversed without causing serious damage to the body, when treatment is not started or the cause is not removed, the decrease in temperature can continue to get worse, putting life at risk.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for hypothermia should be done as soon as possible to avoid problems that may arise, such as stroke, heart attack or even organ failure and death.
It is important to call an ambulance and warm up the victim, either by placing them in a warmer place, removing wet or cold clothes or placing blankets and hot water bags over them.
In addition, in the most severe cases, treatment should be carried out at the hospital with the guidance of a doctor and using more specific techniques such as removing part of the blood and heating it before putting it back into the body or administering heated serum directly into the vein.
How to avoid hypothermia
The best way to avoid developing hypothermia is to wrap up properly and avoid being exposed to a cold environment for a long time, even in water. In addition, whenever you have wet clothing you should remove the wet layers, keeping your skin as dry as possible.
These precautions are especially for babies and children, who are at greater risk of losing heat without complaining about the cold. Check out how to dress the baby, especially during winter.
