From Dr. Nancy Blake, a family physician with Village Medical of CNY in Liverpool....
Hypothermia:
- body temperature too low
- medical emergency
- shivering, blood flows to vital organs
- can happen even if you feel warm
- remove wet clothes, call 911
Hypothermia (hi-po-therm-ee-yah) is when the body's temperature falls below the normal range. Hypothermia can occur even in relatively warm environmental temperatures. People have had hypothermia without being aware of it. Sometimes, when exercising, we do not realize how cold we actually are. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or other diseases change the way we feel hot and cold. The elderly and infants are at most risk.
When hypothermia starts, the initial response of the body is shivering. This causes muscle movement in an attempt to create heat. It is a temporary start to try and raise body temperature. Also, blood vessels on the skin and outer parts of the body shrink, sending more blood to the heart, kidneys and other vital organs in an attempt to keep them as warm as possible. As the body cools further, shivering stops, and we become lethargic and confused.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If someone is wet, get them indoors and remove the wet clothing as soon as possible. Wrap them in a blanket or other covering and call 911. Only if the person is alert should you try to give them warm, not hot, liquids.
When the body cools to very low temperatures, less than 93 degrees fahrenheit, we become unconscious. People can appear to be dead during this phase. It is important to remember that at this point, you want to be very gentle moving someone. The heart is very fragile during this phase, so seek medical attention immediately.
Prevent hypothermia by -
- dressing appropriately
- be prepared for emergencies, keep a blanket in your car
- if outdoors, let someone know where you will be going and when you are expected to return.
- pay attention to how you feel, get warm if you start shivering.
- alcohol can make us less sensitive to the cold, avoid it if outdoors.
- avoid going out in extreme cold whenever possible.
If you have health questions for Doctor Nancy...or would like to suggest a topic, get in touch. You can phone us at 477-9400 or email us at news@cnycentral.com
