Hypothermia

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Truth is though, we’re all susceptible to It may surprise you to know your body can lose a dangerous amount of heat even at room temperature if the conditions are right. “There are no hard-and-fast rules as to the exact temperature at which you can get hypothermia or the amount of time it takes,” says emergency medicine physician Who is most at risk forhypothermia? According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults with inadequate heat, food and clothing and young children are at Children generallytend to lose heat from their bodies faster than adults do. They also tend to be less aware if they’re experiencing symptoms, given their high energy levels and tendency to be more physically active. Babies who sleep in cold bedrooms can also be at risk. People who remain outdoors for long periods of time — those who don’t have basic shelter, those who participate in outdoor work orsports,those who are mentally ill and people dependent on drugs and alcohol are also at a greater risk. It’s important that if you know anyone who is at risk of indoor hypothermia to check on them often to prevent any dangerous complications from cold weather months. They may not be aware of these dangers, so if you’re able to, inform them and offer help if you can. Here are more key facts abou...

Hypothermia (low body temperature) refers to both a medical condition and a symptom of cold exposure. It occurs when the body falls below a certain temperature and cannot warm itself. Normal body temperature is considered 98.6 degrees. Hypothermia is considered anything below 95 degrees. Left untreated, hypothermia can become a medical emergency. • Acute exposure to cold, such as immersion in cold water or getting caught in the snow. This is worse than simply being out in cold weather. • Fatigue or other lack of metabolic action that doesn't produce sufficient heat, including intoxication with alcohol or malnutrition. • Chronic exposure to mild or moderate cold temperatures without a break. Even chatting too long outside without a jacket on a cool autumn evening is enough to develop mild hypothermia, even though it is also easily treated. Hypothermia is also very common during surgery, which is due to a combination of a cold environment and compromise of the skin (since by definition the skin has been cut open) allowing heat to escape more rapidly than normal. Perioperative hypothermia is well documented and surgeons are looking for ways to prevent it while still providing an environment that is healthy and comfortable for the surgical team. History Humans have known for millennia that exposure to the cold could result in death and that fatigue or exhaustion make it worse. To actually define and recognize hypothermia, a thermometer small enough to be used regularly on huma...

What is hypothermia? Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature brought on by staying in cold temperatures for a long period of time. This lowered body temperature affects the brain,and a person's ability to think clearly or move well. Severe hypothermia can also cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death. While hypothermia happens most often in very cold temperatures, even cool temperatures (above 40°F or 4°C) can be dangerous to a person who has become chilled from rain, sweat, or being in cold water for an extended period of time. Who is at risk for hypothermia? The following people are most at risk for hypothermia: • Elderly people, who often have other illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, heart disease, or circulation problems, or take medicines that interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature • Elderlypeople with inadequate food, clothing, or heat; often thesepeople sit alone for hours or days at a time in a cold apartment or home; improper nutrition also makes them more susceptible to the cold • Infantsand toddlers sleeping in cold bedrooms • People who stay outdoors for long periods of time, such as the homeless, hikers, and hunters Half of the elderlypeople who develop hypothermia die before, or soon after, being found. However, even young, seemingly strong people, are affected by hypothermia when exposed to the cold for long periods of time. What are the symptoms of hypothermia? The following are the most common symptom...