Hypothermia Signs, First Aid and Prevention

Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature (usually under 96 degrees) brought on by staying in cold temperatures for a long period of time and the body is unable to produce enough heat.

This low temperature affects the brain and a person's ability to think clearly or move well and can be deadly. Severe hypothermia can also cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death.

While hypothermia happens most often in very cold temperatures, even cool temperatures (above 40°F or 4°C) can be dangerous to a person who has become chilled from rain, sweat, or being in cold water for an extended period of time. Hypothermia can happen when it's cold inside or outside.

Who Is At Risk For Hypothermia?

The following groups of people are most at risk for hypothermia:

Seniors

• Elderly people, even if they have no other illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, heart disease or circulation problems, or take medicines that interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature
• Elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heat. Often these people sit alone for hours or days at a time in a cold apartment or home. Improper nutrition also makes older people more susceptible to the cold.

Infants and Young Children

Infants and toddlers sleeping in cold bedrooms can be at risk of hypothermia if the room temperature is cool enough.

People Who Are Outdoors

Exposure to cold or wet weather or conditions or staying outdoors for long periods of time can increase your risk of hypothermia. This includes the homeless, hikers, and hunters. Even young, seemingly strong people, are affected by hypothermia when exposed to the cold for long periods of time.

People With Certain Medical Conditions

• Some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, heart disease or circulation problems can make it more difficult for your body to regulate its body temperature.
• Some medications increase the risk of accidental hypothermia, such as drugs to treat anxiety, depression or nausea, as well as some over-the-counter cold remedies.

What Are Hypothermia Symptoms?

"Symptoms of hypothermia can include shivering, which is our body's natural way to kind of create heat. But in addition to shivering, there can be lack of coordination, but also mental confusion," said Franciscan Health cardiologist Stephen Cook, MD. "It's really important for you to recognize what are normal symptoms of hypothermia when you're out in the cold weather for long periods of time."

The most common symptoms of hypothermia are:

• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Fumbling hands
• Severe shivering or no shivering
• Exhaustion
• Slow, slurred speech
• Shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Low blood pressure
• Drowsiness
• A change in behavior or appearance during cold weather
• Stiffness in the arms and legs
• Poor control over body movements or slow reactions
• In infants, bright red, cold skin and/or very low energy.

How Can I Tell If Someone Has Hypothermia?

Check the person's body temperature if you think someone may have hypothermia.

• Using a thermometer is better than feeling a person's forehead to determine if a person has hypothermia.
• If the person's temperature is below 96 degrees F (35.5 degrees C), or you can't read it on an oral thermometer, use a rectal thermometer to take the person's temperature for a more exact reading.
• If the thermometer still does not show the temperature or is below 96 degrees F, call for emergency help.
• Know the warning signs of hypothermia and how to treat hypothermia ;and seek medical attention.

What Is First Aid For Hypothermia?

If you think someone has hypothermia, take their body temperature. If the person's temperature is below 96° F, the situation is a medical emergency. Get medical attention immediately. If the person has symptoms of hypothermia and a temperature cannot be taken, call 911.

While Waiting For Medical Help

• Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
• Remove any wet clothing.
• Warm the center of the body first - the chest, neck head, and groin - using an electric blanket or skin-to-skin contact, with your own body heat providing warmth to the victim.
• Don't rub the person's arms or legs, which can make the problem worse as it may cause cool blood that had pooled in the extremities to return to the circulation and cause a further drop in core temperature.
• Be careful to not handle the victim roughly.
• Offer warm, non-alcoholic drinks if available, but never try to give an unconscious person something to drink.
• Once the body temperature begins to increase, keep the person dry and wrapped in warm blankets.
• Avoid alcohol or cigarettes, both of which hamper the body's ability to warm.

How Can I Prevent Hypothermia?

Follow these tips to help prevent hypothermia:

When Outside

• When outside in the cold, wear a hat, scarf and gloves.
• Dress in several layers of clothing to trap warm air between the layers. "A lot of us will put on that cotton T-shirt when we're going out in the snow," Dr. Cook said. "Remember that we get wet and damp and sweaty. That causes a lot of cold, wet water sticking to our body, which causes us to get further cold and causes and creates that hypothermic environment. So you want to put on those sports performance t-shirts to wick away that damp sweat, then put on a layer of fleece or that nice warm sweater rather than that cotton t-shirt that may kind of create that sticky, wet clothing environment."
• Carry a fully charged cell phone when you go out, and let someone know when you're venturing outside.

When Inside

• Keep your home warm. Set the thermostat to at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Even homes at 60 to 65 degrees can trigger hypothermia in older adults.
• At home, wear long underwear under clothes as well as socks and slippers. Use a blanket to keep your legs and shoulders warm and wear a hat indoors.
• Set your home's thermostat to at least 68 degrees. Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees can trigger hypothermia in older people.
• To stay warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers. Use a blanket to keep your legs and shoulders warm.

Know Your Risk

• Some prescription and over-the-counter meds may increase your risk for hypothermia, including antidepressants, pain medications and antipsychotics. Ask your doctor if this pertains to you.