Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition where the body temperature drops below 35°C. When the body temperatures drops that drastically, it results in the heart, chest and other important organs not working properly. This generally happens in older adults or younger children. There is primary hypothermia and secondary hypothermia
Primary hypothermia is caused by things such as not wearing enough clothes when its cold outside, staying outside in the cold for a lengthy period of time, falling into ice cold water or living somewhere without enough heating that’s too cold. A lot of homeless and mentally ill people are prone to get this because of their living conditions.
Secondary hypothermia is caused when the body temperature drops due to another disease in the body. Your body temperature will still drop even in mild conditions because the body’s heat balancing system is not working properly. People with illnesses, such as a stroke or low blood sugar are prone to being hypothermic in mild conditions.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA

The most common symptom of hypothermia is shivering even though it is a good symptom as it signifies that your body is still working properly. Other symptoms of hypothermia include, slow breathing, extreme tiredness, slurred speech as well as a slow pulse.

Treatments

Treatment must start immediately for those who have hypothermia. If medical assistance is unavailable there are some first aid guidelines you can follow until medical assistance becomes available. If the patient’s body temperature will not rise, they will need to be taken to hospital in order to receive emergency medical care to make sure their temperature rises.

First Aid

The first step is to always be gentle with the patient. Handle and move them with care but don’t move them too much, only when it might be necessary. Never rub or massage the patient to warm them as it can trigger a cardiac arrest.
If it’s possible move the patient to a warm, dry area and if this isn’t possible try to shield them from the cold and wind. Try to keep them in a horizontal position.
If the patients clothing is wet make sure to remove it. Cut it away if necessary.
Apply layers of dry blankets, or coats, in order to warm the patient. Also cover the patients head with only the face exposed.
Attempt to shield the patient from the cold ground by laying them on the back on top of a blanket or another warm surface.
If you’re CPR trained you might have to begin using it if the patient’s breathing has stopped or is dangerously low and shallow. Be aware that a patient be hypothermia might appear to be unconscious with little or no signs of breathing or a pulse.
If the patient is awake and able to swallow, warm drink that are sweet, nonalcoholic and not caffeinated can warm to the body up.
Apply warm, dry compresses to the neck, chest wall, or groin. These compresses can be in the form of first-aid compresses which warm up when squeezed, or makeshift congresses of warm water in plastic bottle or warmed towels. Avoid applying warm compresses on the arms or legs as it can force cold blood back towards the heart, lungs, and brain which can be fatal as the core temperature could drop.
Never apply direct heat to the patient as the extreme heat could damage the skin or cause irregular heartbeats and lead to the heart stopping.

Medical Treatments

For mild hypothermia it might only be warm blankets and warm drinks that are needed.
There is a procedure which consists of drawing the blood of the hypothermia patient, warmed up and then recirculated into the body in a hemodialysis machine.
Warm fluids could be put into the body through intravenously.
The airways could be warmed by using humidified oxygen through a mask or nasal tube.
The use of catheters to insert warm saltwater solutions into parts of the body such as the lungs, and abdominal cavity.

Related Forums

Related Videos