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1 year, 6 months ago via health-qna.com

What are the affects of hypothermia?

What is hypothermia? How do I know if I have hypothermia? How long does it take for hypothermia to set in? How can I prevent] hypothermia? What effects does hypothermia have on my body? Is hypothermia reversible?
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elationaviation | 1 year, 6 months ago
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According to the Mayo Clinic:

Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff

Shivering is your body's automatic defense against cold temperature — an attempt to warm itself. Constant shivering is a key sign of hypothermia. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:

* Shivering
* Clumsiness or lack of coordination
* Slurred speech or mumbling
* Stumbling
* Confusion or difficulty thinking
* Poor decision making, such as trying to remove warm clothes
* Drowsiness or very low energy
* Apathy, or lack of concern about one's condition
* Progressive loss of consciousness
* Weak pulse
* Shallow breathing

A person with hypothermia usually isn't aware of his or her condition, because the symptoms often begin gradually and because the confused thinking associated with hypothermia prevents self-awareness.

Hypothermia not related to the outdoors
Hypothermia isn't always the result of exposure to extremely cold outdoor temperatures. An older person may develop mild hypothermia after prolonged exposure to indoor temperatures that would be tolerable to a younger or healthier adult — for example, temperatures in a poorly heated home or in an air-conditioned home.

In such cases, mild hypothermia may result in vague symptoms, and the typical shivering may not be present at all. Symptoms of mild hypothermia not related to extreme cold exposure may include:

* Confusion
* Lack of coordination
* Dizziness
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fatigue

Hypothermia in infants
Typical signs of hypothermia in an infant include:

* Bright red, cold skin
* Very low energy

When to see a doctor
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you see someone exhibiting signs of hypothermia or if you suspect a person has had unprotected or prolonged exposure to cold weather or water. If possible take the person inside, remove wet clothing and cover him or her in layers of blankets.

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annelisle | 1 year, 6 months ago
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Hi @mmng23! Hypothermia is a condition in which the core temperature of the body drops below that required normal metabolism and body functions which is at 35.0 deg centigrade or 95.0 Fahrenheit. Normal body temperature ranges from 36.5-37.5 which is the body's biologic homeostasis.

The signs and symptoms of hypothermia depends on whether it is mild, moderate and severe.
*Mild hypothermia symptoms: shivering, hypertension, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate and vacosonstriction, mentally confused, hyperglycemia or increase blood sugar

*Moderate hypothermia: shivering becomes more violent, there is uncoordinated muscle movement, movements are slow and labored, stumbling pace, mild confusion, pale, lips, fingers, ears and toes becomes blue

*Severe hypothermia: difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking, amnesia, unable to use hands and stumbling, cellular metabolic processes stop, exposed skin becomes blue and puffy, poor muscle coordination, walking is impossible, incoherent/irrational behavior, stupor, major organ fails, clinical death occurs.

These are ways to prevent hypothermia:
1. Wear appropriate clothing especially if you are going out for a walk and it is chilly outdoors. Use synthetic and wool fabrics because they are better than cotton for they provide better insulation when wet or dry.
3. close openings around head and neck; cover exposed body surfaces like head, hands, and feet
4. cover the mouth and nose with a wool scarf and full hat
5. Remove damp clothes and wet socks
6. Seek shelter from the cold, wind and rain
7. Use a pad to insulate your body
8. eat high energy food like candy, nuts, granola bars
9. The U.S. Coast Guard promotes using life vests as a means of preventing hypothermia to happen. They have this 50/50/50 rule: If someone is in 50 °F water for 50 minutes, he/she has a 50% chance of surviving if he/she is wearing a life jacket. A heat escape lessening position can also be used to increase survival in cold water.

Management of hypothermia depends also on the level of severity. For mild, passive rewarming is done; moderate hypothermia, active external rewarming is done; and severe hypothermia, active internal rewarming is given to the patient.
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