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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Hypothermia

It takes time for our bodies to get used to a different temperature. The brain controls our response to hot and cold conditions mainly by altering sweat production and the amount of blood circulating in our body. If it is not given sufficient time to adapt to excessive temperature change, we may become ill - sometimes dangerously so. Temperature disorders in which the sufferer overheats include heat stroke, heat exhaustion (which may lead to heat stroke) and heat cramps; extremes of cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia.

Hypothermia

Caused by cold conditions, hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 35C (95F).
It most commonly occurs:
In a poorly heated home, particularly with the elderly or undernourished.
In cold outdoor conditions, such as moors and mountains and at some road traffic accidents. Temperatures do not have to be freezing. It is more likely in wet and windy conditions.
During or after immersion in cold water.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to Hypothermia in the winter months: they may sit still for long periods, they may not eat properly or be unable to heat their home sufficiently, and their metabolism is slower than that of a younger person.
Diagnosis can be difficult, and unconscious hypothermia sufferers may be mistaken for dead. However, due to the the body's reduced need for oxygen when very cold, even prolonged resuscitaffion efforts have been successful.

First and for hypothermia

If outdoors

Keep casualty in shelter. Replace wet clothing with dry, ideally warmed (e.g. from dry, warm bystanders). Cover the casualty's head and insulate them against cold from the ground. Wrap them In something warm such as a sleeping bag or plastic bags (leave face uncovered), or ideally a survival bag.

If indoors

Rewarm gradully in a generally warm room. Replace any cold, damp clothing.
If alert enough to eat/drink, give hot, sweet fluids (no alcohol) and a Iittle high-calorie food. Do not: heat up the body too fast, apply direct heat (hot-water bottles, sitting someone against a radiator), massage or rub the skin, get the casualty to exercise.

Signs and symptoms of hypothermia

Mild - body temp. 35~C (95~F) or less

~ Casualty feels very cold. ~' Uncontrollable shivering. ~Stumbling, poor coordination, slurred speech. mild confusion odd behaviour
Deep - body temp. 33~C (91.4~F) or less
~ No sensation of cold. Shivering stops. Drowsy, becoming unconscious. Breathing slows. There may be no detectable pulse.

Heat exhaustion

Due to excessive loss of water and salt from profuse sweating, heat exhaustion often occurs after heavy exercise and on hot days. If not treated promptly heat exhaustion can prove fatal or develop into heat stroke.

Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion

Occurs gradually over several hours. Body temperature may be normal, but may rise to 38-40~C (100.4-104~F). Headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea. ~~ Cold, pale, clammy skin and sweating. ~A rapid, weak pulse. ~ Feeling faint or actually fainting.