Hypothermia Symptoms – Recognize the Subtle Signs
Hypothermia is a serious medical condition which needs immediate medical attention. It normally develops when one is exposed to colder climates. There are many symptoms of this ailment like uncontrollable shivering and confusion, which helps one to easily identify the condition.
Hypothermia Symptoms – Know it in Detail
Hypothermia symptoms usually develop slowly. When you have developed hypothermia, your thinking ability and movement get affected. As a result of the thought process getting impaired, you cannot make out that your body is getting cold. In fact, one of the key hypothermia symptoms is the decrease in the internal body temperature to below 95oF, the normal temperature being 98.6oF. Other symptoms include loss of coordination and weakness, skin getting pale and cold, slowed breathing rate, and so on. In severe cases, you may develop a bluish tinge on your toes, fingers, and lips. Vital organs like heart and brain are more susceptible to hypothermia.
Hypothermia Causes – The Reasons
When a person develops hypothermia, the rate of heat loss from his body is much higher than the rate of heat production. Some of the most common hypothermia causes include exposure to cold water or cold-weather conditions. However, continuous exposure to any kind of environment which is colder than the body can lead to hypothermia if you do not have any control over the conditions or you have not dressed appropriately. Other hypothermia causes include accidents in water like a boating accident, improper heating at home especially in the case of infants and older people, air conditioning which is too cold, and the like.
Hypothermia Treatment – Details
It is advisable to seek medical help as soon as possible if someone develops hypothermia. Until medical attention is available, you can give first-aid care to the affected person. For this purpose, you need to act according to the guidelines provided for hypothermia treatment. You are required to handle the person gently because vigorous movements may lead to cardiac arrest. The patient should be moved to a warm location and provided enough warmth using layers of coats or dry blankets. If he is in wet clothes, it should be removed immediately and also, the rate of breathing should be monitored. The medical treatment for hypothermia depends on the severity. Some of the treatments provided in this regard include blood re-warming, injecting warm intravenous fluids, airway re-warming, etc.