Doing a challenging hobby is fun and enjoyable, for example, mountain climbing. However, for those of you who like to climb mountains, you should be aware of the risk of hypothermia. What are the characteristics of hypothermia on the mountain?
Hypothermia is a significant drop in body temperature. If not treated immediately, hypothermia can become a serious complication, such as impaired function of important organs. Therefore, know the characteristics of hypothermia on the mountain so that it can be handled appropriately.
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Know the Characteristics of Hypothermia on the Mountain
When exposed to cold weather for a long time, for example climbing a mountain, your temperature can drop significantly or it’s called hypothermia. Hypothermia risks significantly losing almost all of your heat, thereby growing cold. Hypothermia can cause dangerous complications if not treated immediately.
Hypothermia triggers a part of the brain called the hypothalamus to release heat. Not surprisingly, when the weather is cold, you shiver as a way of dissipating heat with the help of your muscles. However, this triggers a temporary narrowing of blood vessels.
Based on the level, the characteristics of hypothermia consist of mild stages, moderate stages, to severe stages. Each stage of hypothermia gives rise to different characteristics, namely:
Mild hypothermia
When experiencing hypothermia, one of the significant initial features is shivering. Shivering is the body’s natural response to keep warm and a sign of mild hypothermia. Treatment for hypothermia at this stage is wearing thick and layered clothing, eating sweet foods to stay energized, and drinking warm drinks. If these various efforts have been implemented, then hypothermia when climbing mountains can be prevented.
Moderate hypothermia
For moderate stages of hypothermia, the patient is no longer shivering and has no energy, because he cannot release heat. In addition, sufferers may find it difficult to make a sound and balance is reduced.
At this stage, the patient is easily confused and hallucinated, so that he may unknowingly take off his clothes. However, not all hypothermic sufferers lose consciousness and still wear thick clothing. However, your heart may fibrillate and collapse.
Severe hypothermia
In the severe stage of hypothermia, the patient experiences interference with ventricular fibrillation in the heart, giving rise to a number of features, such as heart failure, cardiac arrest, abnormal heart rhythm, pupils not reacting, difficulty breathing, and even death.
Those are the various characteristics of hypothermia on the mountain that you need to know. So that it doesn’t become a dangerous complication, immediately apply the right first aid to warm the body.
How to Prevent Hypothermia on the Mountain
There are a number of ways that can be applied to avoid hypothermia on the mountain, namely:
- When climbing a mountain, wear layers of clothing. Otherwise, you are prone to hypothermia. It is also recommended that you provide spare clothes, mountain jackets, sleeping bags or tents if you are camping.
- Apply simple exercise, for example stretching, to warm the body. However, don’t overdo it, because it can actually dissipate body heat.
- Make sure you are fit and warm by providing nutritious food. Otherwise, the risk of hypothermia increases.
- Bring hot drinks and food, but no drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol.
- Consumption of sweet foods when climbing mountains to replace lost energy.
