Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below the required minimum of 36.6°C. A slight hypothermia can lead to a cold, but a drop in body temperature to 20-23°C can be fatal.

What are the symptoms of hypothermia and what to do if there are signs of hypothermia?

The main early symptom of hypothermia is chills - muscle tremors, the purpose of which is to maintain a normal body temperature with the help of movement.

I stage of hypothermia

During the first stage of hypothermia, when the body temperature is 32-35° C, a person is conscious, but feels a strong chill.

The body, sensing that it is losing the temperature level necessary for the proper functioning of all organs, tries to raise it, forcing the muscles to move.

A chill is the first signal that you need to find a place to warm up.

The first stage of hypothermia is not so terrible - to eliminate it, it is enough to spend several hours in a warm room, drink hot tea or warm water.

It is strictly forbidden to warm yourself with alcoholic beverages!

Alcohol dilates blood vessels and contributes to greater heat loss.

II stage of hypothermia

At the second stage of hypothermia, the body temperature varies from 32 to 29°C. Here, the absence of chills is characteristic, but at the same time there is a violation of speech, consciousness and coordination of movements, bluish skin appears.

With this degree of hypothermia, dizziness and weakness often appear, a person needs medical help.

Special blankets and baths with warm water are usually used.

III stage of hypothermia

In the third stage, the body temperature is less than 28°C, a comatose state sets in, the pulse is barely audible, symptoms of respiratory and circulatory arrest are noted, the pupils do not react to light.

At this stage, resuscitation is required.

At

hypothermia, when the temperature drops below, cardiac arrest occurs.

is irreversible hypothermia, i.e. death.

Factors that increase the risk of hypothermia:

• Age.

  Elderly people have impaired thermoregulation, and comorbidities such as dementia impair orientation and appreciation of the world around them.

• Children's age.

  Babies lack effective mechanisms for regulating heat exchange.

• Mental disorders.

  People with inadequate assessment of the surrounding world, with memory problems can be exposed to cold for a long time without realizing how dangerous it is.

• Abuse of alcohol or drugs.

  The effect of psychotropic substances on the body can lead to hypothermia - it is not uncommon for a person in a state of alcohol or drug intoxication to "turn off" on the street in sub-zero temperatures.

• Associated diseases.

  Some metabolic and hormonal disorders can be the cause of insufficient thermoregulation, for example, hypothyroidism, anorexia, diabetes, Parkinson's disease.

Why hypothermia is dangerous: It

 slows down all physiological functions, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, nerve conduction, mental acuity, neuromuscular reaction time, and metabolic rate.

First aid in case of hypothermia

Providing assistance in case of hypothermia requires compliance with some rules, which consist in minimizing the movements of the affected person.

The fact is that excessive movement of the body can cause a sudden activity of cooled blood from the extremities to the heart.

In a state of hypothermia, the body maintains blood temperature, blood circulation in the heart, lungs and brain;

the displacement of cold blood from the extremities to the heart can lead to its complete stoppage.

The victim should be moved to a warm, wind-protected place where gradual, slow warming is possible.

For mild symptoms of hypothermia, when the victim is fully conscious, it is necessary to remove wet/cold clothes from him and wrap him in a blanket or cover him with warm heating pads in the area of ​​the back, abdomen, and neck.

If the victim is conscious, you can give sweet warm drinks that do not contain alcohol.

Unconscious people should not be given any drinks in case of hypothermia, transport in an upright position should be avoided, clothing should not be removed, and an ambulance should be called as soon as possible.

Hypothermia in a state of deep hypothermia is often difficult to distinguish from a fatal outcome.

The person or medical staff providing first aid should carefully assess for a pulse.

Starting resuscitation too early in this case can lead to heart rhythm disturbances, cause ventricular fibrillation and worsen the patient's condition.

During deep hypothermia, when the heart has stopped, the myocardial tissue cools, so defibrillation is not recommended if the core body temperature is below 29°C. The data available in the literature show the beneficial effect of prolonged resuscitation with gradual warming of the victim and an attempt to defibrillate only after warming him to 30° C.

How to prevent hypothermia

The most banal recommendation is to make it impossible to move outdoors at extremely low temperatures.

The second tip is to dress for the weather and choose clothes specially designed for cold winter days.

You can also purchase special thermal underwear and pocket heaters.

Do not forget that not only people are prone to hypothermia, but also animals.

So, for animals of the feline family, -15° C is a lethal temperature.

Read also:

• How to Survive the Ice Season: Five Tricks to Improve Your Balance

• What to do if you have a stuffy nose: 5 effective life hacks

• Blood clots, dandruff and "winter vagina": 8 troubles that the cold can cause us