Hypothermia

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Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it. A normal rectal body temperature ranges from to and for most people is by mouth and rectally. Hypothermia is more likely to occur when you are exposed to cold air, water, wind, or rain. Hypothermia can occur indoors, especially in babies and older or ill adults that are not dressed warmly enough.

A rectal temperature is considered the most accurate body temperature. For information on how to take an accurate temperature, see the topic Body Temperature.

Emergency care needed

Hypothermia is an emergency condition and can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death. Hypothermia can occur at temperatures of or higher in wet and windy weather, or if you are in to water.

Severity

• Mild hypothermia: Rectal temperatures between and
• Moderate to severe hypothermia: Rectal temperatures below

To help remember the signs of hypothermia, learn the "umbles" phrase, which is "stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles." These words describe changes in a person's physical coordination and mental alertness that may be the first signs of hypothermia.

Early symptoms

• 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

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

Medical treatment

It is very important to get treatment for hypothermia quickly. Often a hiker or skier will lose heat to a critical temperature before others notice anything is wrong. If someone begins to shiver violently, stumble, or can't respond to questions, suspect hypothermia and warm them quickly.

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.

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.

Credits

Last updated:	July 05, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer