What is hypothermia?
"Hypo" means low. "Thermia" has to do with temperature. So hypothermia is dangerously low body temperature, usually below 95° F (35° C).
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You get hypothermia when you're in a cold place for a long time
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Hypothermia is more likely if it's windy, you're in cold water or wet, or you can't move around to keep warm
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At first, hypothermia makes you shiver
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As hypothermia gets worse, you become confused and lose awareness
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People may die if their body temperature gets below 88° F (about 28° C)
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Babies and older people are at the greatest risk of hypothermia
See a doctor right away if you think you have hypothermia.
What causes hypothermia?
What are the symptoms of hypothermia?
At first you shiver a lot and your teeth chatter.
As hypothermia gets worse, you may also:
Eventually, your heart stops (cardiac arrest) and you die. However, you need less oxygen when you're really hypothermic. So some hypothermic people, particularly children, can live after being in cardiac arrest for up to an hour.
How can doctors tell if I have hypothermia?
How do doctors treat hypothermia?
Anyone who's hypothermic should:
If you're awake and just cold and shivering, this will warm you up eventually. If you seem confused or sluggish, someone should take you to a hospital. Doctors may have to do special warming treatments.
In a hospital, doctors may warm your body with the following:
Don't give CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to someone with hypothermia, because it could damage the person's heart. Just call 911 so the person can be brought to the hospital right away.
How can I prevent hypothermia?
You can prevent hypothermia in cold places by:
Older people get hypothermia more easily, so they should:
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Keep their home at least 68° F (20° C), especially in the bedroom
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Wear several layers of clothing, and make sure to cover their head, fingers, and toes in cold weather
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Wear clothes made of wool and other insulated materials
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Eat warm foods and drink warm fluids (but not alcohol) when they're in cold places
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Walk around when they feel cold, to help warm the body
If you can’t afford to keep your home warm enough, look for fuel assistance programs in your area to get help with these costs.
