Hypothermia

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a serious medical emergency which resulted when there is imbalance between heat production and heat loss. There is usually decrease in 3 Fahrenheit in the temperature from normal.

Symptoms

Symptoms of this condition includes:hypothermia

  • Shivering
  • Mumbling
  • Slurred speech
  • Shallow problematic breathing
  • Weak pulse
  • Drowsiness
  • Clumsiness
  • Bright red skin in infants
  • Unconsciousness
  • Confusion and memory problems
Causes

This condition occur when person is exposed to cold environment for a long time. The particular causes of hypothermia are:

  • Wearing clothes which are not warm enough for the environment
  • Bloating accident
  • Being in wet clothes for long time
Complications

Major concerning complications are

  • Frostbite
  • Gangrene of the affected area
Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this condition depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of patient. Sometimes blood tests are also done.

Treatment

As this is a medical emergency it requires immediate first-aid which include these steps:

  • Limit the excess moment of body
  • Move to warmer place
  • Insulate the body from colder things
  • Use warm compressor
  • Monitor breathing
  • Avoid getting direct heat

Along with this medical treatment is done which include

  • Passive re-warming
  • Blood re-warming
  • Airway re-warming
  • Warm intravenous fluids
  • Irrigation of some areas of body.
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