Hypothermia

Please note that this article uses the Human body as an example.

Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it. A normal, Human rectal body temperature ranges from 97.5 F to 99.6 F, and for most Humans is 98.6 F.

Hypothermia is an emergency condition and can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death if heat loss continues. It is very important to know the symptoms of hypothermia and get treatment quickly. If someone begins to shiver violently, stumble, or can't respond to questions, suspect hypothermia and warm him or her quickly.

Anyone can get hypothermia.

Most healthy people with mild to moderate hypothermia recover completely without permanent injury. Recovery is more difficult for babies and older, ill, or inactive adults. Hypothermia can occur indoors, especially in babies and older or ill adults that are not dressed warmly enough.

Causes

Hypothermia can occur when you are exposed to cold air, water, wind, or rain.

Your body temperature can drop to a low level at temperatures of 50 F or higher in wet and windy weather, or if you are in 60 F to 70 F water. If you have mild hypothermia, home treatment may be enough to bring your body temperature back up to normal.

Symptoms

Early symptoms include:

• Shivering
• Cold, pale, or blue-gray skin
• Lack of interest or concern (apathy)
• Poor judgment
• Mild unsteadiness in balance or walking
• Slurred speech
• Numb hands and fingers and difficulty performing tasks

Late symptoms include:

• The trunk of the body is cold to the touch
• Muscles become stiff
• Slow pulse
• Breathing that is shallow and slower
• Weakness or sleepiness
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Shivering, which may stop if body temperature drops below 90 F

Treatment

Medical treatment for hypothermia depends on the severity of the hypothermia. Treatment of mild hypothermia includes getting out of the cold or wet environment, using warm blankets, heaters, and hot water bottles.

Moderate to severe hypothermia generally is treated in the hospital, where health professionals can give warmed intravenous fluids and warm, moist oxygen in addition to other treatments to warm the core body temperature.

This information taken from http://www.webmd.com/, who received their information from Healthwise, Inc.