As winter sets in, the extremes of cold temperatures can bring more than less desirable weather. Decreasing temperatures can also lead to hypothermia for unsuspecting people.
Those who believe they are “just cold” may actually have hypothermia. Dr. Tim Ellender, assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine at Clarian Health, states hypothermia is an extreme in temperature whereby the standard body temperature begins to fall.
In order to function properly, the body must maintain an even temperature to sustain the body’s core — the internal body organs, particularly the heart, lungs, and brain — and periphery — the appendages, skin, and muscle tissue. In relationship to the environment acting as either a heating or cooling agent, the body must also be able to generate heat, retain heat, and discharge heat depending on the body activity and external temperature.
Body temperature is a measurement of metabolism — the general level of chemical activity within the body. The average body temperature is 98.7 degrees F. Mild hypothermia is defined as a core temperature of 98.6 — 96 degrees Fahrenheit. This is when you begin to see changes.
“The extremes of cold shut down metabolism. Cells say ‘I need blood and oxygen to be able to make energy to keep the body alive.’ Temperature tells your cells to shut down because you don’t need to be as active; you need to be more in a sleeplike state,” explained Ellender.
According to the Princeton University’s outdoor guide to hypothermia and cold weather injuries, conditions leading to hypothermia include cold temperatures, improper clothing and equipment, wetness, fatigue, exhaustion, dehydration, poor food intake, no knowledge of hypothermia and alcohol intake.
Though many causes, one of the first signs of mild hypothermia is shivering which is the body’s use of muscles to create heat.
Princeton University’s guide also warns mild sufferers of the ‘umbles’ meaning stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness. Moderate hypothermia, a core temperature 95 — 93 degrees Fahrenheit, includes dazed consciousness, loss of fine motor coordination, slurred speech, violent shivering, irrational behavior and paradoxical undressing, when a person starts to take off clothing, unaware he is cold.
Hypothermia can become severe and can lead to death.
“Heart stoppage occurs in things like change in mental status. Breathing is almost (nonexistent). Those patients can look and feel dead,” explained Ellender.
While anyone can suffer from hypothermia, those mostly at risk are the very young or old, malnourished, overly tired or the chronically ill, especially with heart or circulation problems. Alcoholics, whose substances mask body changes and trauma victims are also at risk.
Weather doesn’t have to be at extremely cold temperatures for one to have hypothermia. Even at 40 degrees, those who are not used to such temperatures, don’t have adequate heating or are not dressed properly can suffer from hypothermia.
If one believes they have hypothermia, the key is to get out of the environment if possible. Try to rewarm the body by first taking off all wet clothing. Princeton University’s guide says, staying dry equals staying alive.
Once all wet clothing is removed wrap up in warm clothing or blankets and get to a sufficient heat source. If you can’t get to a warm, dry place immediately, try to bundle up, layer clothing to reserve body temperature, or find shelter from the cold/wet environment.
If you have profound shivering that’s lasting more than 20 minutes, feel confused or mentally changed a medical evaluation may be necessary.
Those with severe hypothermia are oftentimes put on heart bypass machines in efforts to distribute warm blood to vital organs.
Hypothermia is a condition that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The body is designed to operate at a fine line temperature. When that line is crossed, the body’s natural processes are jeopardized. Being prepared and dressing appropriately in certain weather conditions can help combat hypothermia.
For more information visit www.clarian.org or www.princeton.edu/~oa.
