Low body temperature
| Hypothermia | |
|---|---|
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| During Napoleon Bonaparte's retreat from Russia in the winter of 1812, many troops died from hypothermia. | |
| Specialty | Critical care medicine |
| Symptoms |
Mild: Shivering, mental confusion Moderate: No shivering, increased confusion Severe: Paradoxical undressing, cardiac arrest |
| Risk factors | Alcohol intoxication, low blood sugar, anorexia, advanced age |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms or body temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F) |
| Treatment |
Mild: Warm drinks, warm clothing, physical activity Moderate: Heating blankets, warmed intravenous fluid Severe: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiopulmonary bypass |
| Deaths | 1,500 per year (US) |
| Classification |
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| External resources |
Hypothermia is reduced body temperature that happens when a body dissipates more heat than it absorbs. In humans, it is defined as a body core temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). Symptoms depend on the temperature. In mild hypothermia there is shivering and mental confusion. In moderate hypothermia shivering stops and confusion increases. In severe hypothermia, there may be paradoxical undressing, in which a person removes his or her clothing, as well as an increased risk of the heart stopping.
Hypothermia has two main types of causes. It classically occurs from exposure to extreme cold. It may also occur from any condition that decreases heat production or increases heat loss. Commonly this includes alcohol intoxication but may also include low blood sugar, anorexia, and advanced age.Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) through thermoregulation. Efforts to increase body temperature involve shivering, increased voluntary activity, and putting on warmer clothing. Hypothermia may be diagnosed based on either a person's symptoms in the presence of risk factors or by measuring a person's core temperature.
The treatment of mild hypothermia involves warm drinks, warm clothing, and physical activity. In those with moderate hypothermia, heating blankets and warmed intravenous fluids are recommended. People with moderate or severe hypothermia should be moved gently. In severe hypothermia, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or cardiopulmonary bypass may be useful. In those without a pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is indicated along with the above measures. Rewarming is typically continued until a person's temperature is greater than 32 °C (90 °F). If there is no improvement at this point or the blood potassium level is greater than 12 mmol/liter at any time, resuscitation may be discontinued.
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Wikipedia