Hypothermia
| Hypothermia | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
 Being homeless can make you become exposed to hypothermia |
|
| ICD-10 | T68. |
| ICD-9 | 991.6 |
| DiseasesDB | 6542 |
| eMedicine | med/1144 |
| MeSH | D007035 |
Hypothermia is a condition when a person is so cold that the body temperature drops below normal.[1] Hypothermia is any body temperature lower than 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). He or she starts shivering and cannot stop. The person then becomes confused and acts strange. Their words don't make sense. Soon he or she becomes very tired. If someone gets hypothermia, wrap the person in blankets and take him or her to the hospital. If that's impossible, warm up the person slowly.[2]
Contents |
Mild [change]
When hypothermia begins, a person starts shivering and can't stop.[2][3][4][5] The person cannot do complicated things with his or her hands. The person might feel sick in his stomach and very tired, wanting to go to sleep, anywhere.[2] Sometimes a person will feel suddenly warm, as if they are getting better, but this just means they are getting worse. They are also unable to touch their thumb with their little finger, because their muscles stop working. They might not be able to see things clearly.
Moderate (Middle) [change]
The person begins shivering even more. Their muscles obviously do not work.[4][6] They move slowly and with difficulty, growing a little confused and walking unsteadily.[2] The person becomes pale, and lips, ears, fingers, and toes might become blue. This is because the body is trying to keep the most important organs warm.
Severe [change]
Body temperature drops even more, but the person usually stops shivering.[4] They cannot talk clearly; they think slowly, and they cannot move their hands. Slowly, the skin that is exposed to the cold air becomes blue and puffy. They cannot walk, and start behaving strangely. Their pulse becomes slower, but the heart may beat faster. Finally, the person dies.
References [change]
- ↑ Karakitsos D, Karabinis A (September 2008). "Hypothermia therapy after traumatic brain injury in children". N. Engl. J. Med. 359 (11): 1179–80. PMID 18788094.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Oard, Michael (1997). The Weather Book. P.O. Box 126, Green Forest, AR 72638: Master Books. ISBN 0-89051-211-6.
- ↑ McCullough L, Arora S (December 2004). "Diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia". Am Fam Physician 70 (12): 2325–32. PMID 15617296.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sterba, JA (1990). "Field Management of Accidental Hypothermia during Diving.". United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit Technical Report NEDU-1-90. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4248. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ↑ Francis, TJR (1998). "Immersion hypothermia.". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal 28 (3). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/5975. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- ↑ Cheung SS, Montie DL, White MD, Behm D (September 2003). "Changes in manual dexterity following short-term hand and forearm immersion in 10 degrees C water". Aviat Space Environ Med 74 (9): 990–3. PMID 14503680. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem/2003/00000074/00000009/art00013. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
Other Websites [change]
 |
The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for: hypothermia. |
