Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses too much heat. This can happen if you are out in cold weather for too long or if you are under water that is too cold. People who are old or young, and people who have health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease are at risk of getting hypothermia.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
The most common symptoms are feeling cold, shivering, and having trouble breathing. They may be mild or severe. They can happen in a short time or for longer and will vary depending on the person.
If you are unsure if someone has hypothermia, use a thermometer to check the temperature of their core body. If their temperature is below 35C, get them to a warm place and warm them up with extra clothes or blankets.
It is not possible to treat hypothermia at home, so it is important to call for emergency help if you suspect that someone has been ill or injured in the cold. Medications can be given to increase the body temperature and to help with other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.
You should also try to give the person any warm liquids that they can drink, such as soup or a hot drink. Be careful not to give too much alcohol or caffeine, which can speed up the heat loss process.
Move the person gently to a warm shelter or other safe area, remove their wet clothing and keep them covered with blankets, towels, or wrapped up in a warm water bottle. Do not rub or massage the person, as this can worsen the condition and cause frostbite.
When someone is in severe hypothermia, they can appear dead and may not have a pulse or be breathing. You must handle them gently, even if they seem to be asleep, and get help as soon as possible.
A person who is in serious hypothermia should be kept warm until they are well enough to come into a hospital. They can be treated there by a doctor, who will monitor them and make sure they are breathing properly and that their heart is working correctly.
The doctor will probably start CPR on the person, and will continue until they are well. They will then take them to the hospital where they will be monitored again and given medications to stop the shivering, breathing problems and other symptoms.
Signs of Severe Hypothermia
Symptoms of severe hypothermia include: passing out, trouble thinking or speaking clearly, clumsiness, loss of shivering and trouble breathing. They could also have dilated pupils or coma.
Some people can become frightened or panic when they have a serious illness such as hypothermia, so it is essential that they are reassured. The patient should be given warm liquids, such as soup or a hot drink, and re-adjusted to the cold environment.
It is important to remember that mild hypothermia can be easily reversed, so shivering is not a good warning unless it becomes more pronounced or stops. If the shivering starts to stop, that is an indicator of moderate or severe hypothermia and it must be dealt with quickly.
