When a person is exposed to excessive cold temperatures, there is a risk of hypothermia. However, the characteristics of hypothermia appear gradually, so the sufferer often doesn’t realize it. Find out more about hypothermia, from mild to severe.
In the medical world, hypothermia risks damaging important organs, such as the heart and brain, and even death, if not treated quickly. Here are the characteristics of mild to severe hypothermia that you need to know.
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Know the Characteristics of Mild to Severe Hypothermia
When someone is in excessively cold weather, it is generally characterized by shivering, which is the body’s way of warming itself. The characteristics of hypothermia consist of three stages, ranging from mild to severe. Each stage of hypothermia gives rise to different characteristics, namely:
1. Mild hypothermia:
- Breathing and heart rate increase.
- Narrowing of blood vessels, so the body feels cold and pale.
- Decreased reflexes.
- Fatigue.
- Sleepy.
- Numb.
2. Moderate hypothermia:
- Decreased level of consciousness.
- No more shivering.
- Blood pressure drops.
- Breathing and heart rate weaken.
- Urinary incontinence or the inability of a person to control urination caused by obstruction of blood flow in certain areas of the body due to increased kidney work.
3. Severe hypothermia:
- Response and awareness are lost.
- Strained muscles.
- Inability of the eye to respond to light.
- Heart rate is slow and irregular.
- There is still a respiratory rate and pulse, but they are difficult to detect.
Causes of Hypothermia
Excessive exposure to cold weather, especially if not protected by adequate clothing, triggers hypothermia. In addition, here are a number of risk factors for hypothermia:
- Being in excessive water, for example an accident at sea.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Being in an over-cooled room.
- Infection, eg sepsis.
In addition, there are various factors that make a person susceptible to hypothermia, such as:
- People with mental illness
People with mental illness, such as dementia, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, are at high risk of hypothermia. This is triggered by a decreased level of consciousness, so you don’t know what condition you are experiencing.
- Age
The elderly and infants are age groups at high risk of hypothermia. This is because the ability of the elderly and infants to regulate body temperature is reduced.
- Suffering from certain diseases
There are a number of diseases that trigger hypothermia, such as Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, malnutrition, and dehydration.
- Alcohol and drug use
Excessive use of alcohol and drugs can lead to loss of ability or consciousness when exposed to cold temperatures, putting you at high risk of developing hypothermia.
- Use of certain drugs
The use of drugs, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and sedatives, can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Treatment of Hypothermia
The initial treatment for hypothermia is to ensure the patient’s breathing and pulse. If it slows down, you should apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, if the breathing and pulse are normal, here are a variety of ways that can be applied to relieve hypothermia:
- If the sufferer wears wet clothes, remove them immediately by cutting them.
- Cover the patient’s face, except for the nose and mouth, to keep warm.
- Place the patient in a dry and warm area. Do not move suddenly, because the risk of cardiac arrest.
- Don’t use high-temperature water or lamps to warm them up, as they can cause irregular heartbeats.
- Monitor and accompany the patient until medical assistance arrives.
