Baby, It’s Cold Outside…
Winter is here—the beauty of the season and the dangers that go with it demand our attention. The body has several ways of adjusting to changing temperature. On average, most bodies operate best in a temperature range of 97.0-99°F. The average body temperature is 98.6°F. An increase or a drop in body temperature triggers specific responses in the body as it attempts to bring the temperature back to the place best for optimal performance.
Hypothermia is defined as a decrease in the core body temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired. Most people associate hypothermia with temperatures below 60 degrees. However, this condition can happen at any temperature less than 98.6 degrees, especially hypothermia in the elderly in cold houses or with peripheral circulation problems.
Watch for signs and symptoms of hypothermia in yourself, family members and elderly neighbors. Pay special attention to young children and the elderly. Watch for the "Umbles"—stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness. With mild hypothermia shivering is not under voluntary control, there is constriction of the blood vessels in the hands, feet, ears and nose and the person may find it hard to complete complex tasks.
Moderate hypothermia will cause a loss of fine motor skills—like zipping a jacket. There maybe slurred speech, violent shivering, and behavior changes, for example the person may start taking off their clothes or be unaware that they are cold, or may have an “I don’t care" attitude.
Severe Hypothermia is a core body temperature of 92 - 86 degrees and below and is an immediately life threatening situation. Shivering occurs in waves, violent then pause. The pauses get longer until shivering finally ceases - because the heat output from burning glycogen in the muscles is not sufficient to counteract the continually dropping core temperature, the body shuts down on shivering to conserve glucose. The person falls to the ground, can't walk, curls up into a fetal position to conserve heat. Muscle rigidity develops - because peripheral blood flow is reduced and due to lactic acid and CO2 buildup in the muscles. The skin is pale, pupils of the eyes are dilate, and the pulse rate decreases. At 90 degrees the body tries to move into hibernation, shutting down all peripheral blood flow and reducing breathing rate and heart rate. At 86 degrees the body is in a state of "metabolic icebox." The person looks dead but is still alive.
Gentle warming if the victim is the best way to handle mild to moderate hypothermia. Remove any wet clothing, put dry clothing on. Wrap all the body except the face—for breathing—in layers of dry insulating objects like blankets, sleeping bags, coats, etc. For severe hypothermia activate the Emergency Medical System (EMS) or transport victim to the nearest medical facility.