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Hypothermia

Hypothermia  

Hypothermia is when the internal body temperature becomes less than 35 C. It occurs when more heat is lost than the body can generate after being exposed to cold temperatures for prolonged periods. It could occur during cold weather as a result of wet or insufficient clothing, soaking in cold water or an exposed head.   

Typically, the symptoms of hypothermia gradually develop. Also, those affected by it experience confusion both mentally and physical and become unaware that they need emergency medical treatment. Thus, hyperthermia can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms include: a boy feeling cold and warming his hands

  • Shivering
  • Fatigue
  • Garbled speech
  • Slow breathing
  • Loss of coordination
  • Cold, pale skin
  • Confusion 

Who are at risk?

The ones that are at a serious risk are older adults, young children and really thin people

Self-care for someone with hypothermia:

  • Keep calm.
  • Call for emergency medical assistance (Dial 997).
  • Monitor the person's breathing. Start CPR immediately when breathing stops.
  • Provide the person with warmth either by going indoors or if not possible shielding the body from the cold in the best way.
  • If able, remove wet clothing and replace them with a warm and dry covering.
  • To warm the person, don't apply direct heat such as the use of hot water or a heating pad. Instead, apply warm compresses to the neck, chest and groin. Try not to warm the arms and legs; this can be fatal because it would force cold blood back toward the heart, lungs and brain, causing the body’s core temperature to plunge.
  • Unless the person is vomiting, offer him or her warm nonalcoholic drinks.
  • Deal with people with hypothermia gently, because they're at risk of cardiac arrest, therefore, you must not massage or rub anyone affected with hyperthermia.  
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