Hypothermia Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce

heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia body temperature is below 95 F (35 C). Causes: The most common causes of hypothermia are exposure to cold-weather conditions or cold water. But prolonged exposure to any environment colder than your body can lead to hypothermia if you aren't dressed appropriately or can't control the conditions. Specific conditions leading to hypothermia can include: Wearing clothes that aren't warm enough for weather conditions Staying out in the cold too long Unable to get out of wet clothes or move to a warm, dry location Accidental falls in water, as in a boating accident Inadequate heating in the home, especially for older people and infants Air conditioning that is too cold, especially for older people and infants

How your body loses heat The mechanisms of heat loss from your body include the following: Radiated heat. Most heat loss is due to heat radiated from unprotected surfaces of your body. Direct contact. If you're in direct contact with something very cold, such as cold water or the cold ground, heat is conducted away from your body. Because water is very good at transferring heat from your body, body heat is lost much faster in cold water than in cold air. Similarly, heat loss from your body is much faster if your clothes are wet, as when you're caught out in the rain. Wind. Wind removes body heat by carrying away the thin layer of warm air at the surface of your skin. A wind chill factor is important in causing heat loss.

A number of factors can increase the risk of developing hypothermia: Older age. People age 65 and older are more vulnerable to hypothermia for a number of reasons. The body's ability to regulate temperature and to sense cold may lessen with age. Older people are also more likely to have a medical condition that affects temperature regulation. Some older adults may not be able to communicate when they are cold or may not be mobile enough to get to a warm location. Very young age. Children lose heat faster than adults do. Children have a larger headto-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 should. Infants may have a special problem with the cold because they have less efficient mechanisms for generating heat. Mental problems. People with a mental illness, dementia or another condition that interferes with judgment may not dress appropriately for the weather or understand the risk of cold weather. People with dementia may wander from home or get lost easily, making them more likely to be stranded outside in cold or wet weather. Alcohol and drug use. Alcohol may make your body feel warm inside, but it causes your blood vessels to dilate, or expand, resulting in more rapid heat loss from the surface of your skin. The use of alcohol or recreational drugs can affect your judgment about the need to get inside or wear warm clothes in cold weather conditions. If a person is intoxicated and passes out in cold weather, he or she is likely to develop hypothermia. Certain medical conditions. Some health disorders affect your body's ability to regulate body temperature. Examples include underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), poor nutrition, stroke, severe arthritis, Parkinson's disease, trauma, spinal cord injuries, burns, disorders that affect sensation in your extremities (for example, nerve damage in the feet of people with diabetes), dehydration, and any condition that limits activity or restrains the normal flow of blood. Medications. A number of drugs, including certain antidepressants, antipsychotics and sedatives, can change the body's ability to regulate its temperature Complications People who develop hypothermia because of exposure to cold weather or cold water are also vulnerable to other cold-related injuries, including: Frostbite, or freezing of body tissues Gangrene, decay and death of tissue resulting from an interruption in blood flow (possible complication of frostbite)

Chilblains, damage to nerves and small blood vessels, usually in the hands or feet after prolonged exposure to above-freezing, cold temperatures

Trench foot (immersion foot), damage to nerves and small blood vessels due to prolonged immersion in water Nursing management First aid care Be gentle, , handle him/her gently. Limit movements to only those that are necessary. Don't massage or rub the person. Excessive, vigorous or jarring movements may trigger cardiac arrest. Remove wet clothing. If the person is wearing wet clothing. Cover the person with blankets. Use layers of dry blankets or coats to warm the person. Monitor breathing. A person with severe hypothermia may appear unconscious,with no apparent signs of a pulse or breathing. Provide warm beverages. If the affected person is alert and able to swallow, provide a warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated beverage to help warm the body. Don't apply direct heat.