Hypothermia is a decrease in body temperature, which is less than 35oC and can occur when it remains without proper equipment during the cold winter or after accidents in ice water, for example, in these cases body heat can quickly escape through the skin, causing the development of hypothermia.
Hypothermia can be fatal, so it’s very important to start first aid as soon as possible to maintain body temperature:
- During this process.
- If possible.
- Try to control body temperature with a thermometer.
- This makes it easier to assess whether the temperature is rising or not.
- If the temperature drops below 33 degrees.
- Medical assistance should be called immediately.
If the person is unconscious, lie on his or her side and wrap himself, in these cases avoiding giving him fluids or taking anything else into his mouth, as this can cause suffocation.In addition, it is important to keep an eye on the person, because if they stop breathing it is important, in addition to asking for medical help, to start a cardiac massage to maintain blood circulation in the body.Refer to the step-by-step instructions for successful massage.
In case of hypothermia, it is not recommended to apply heat directly, such as hot water or a heat lamp, for example, as they can cause burns.Also, if the victim is unconscious or cannot swallow, it is not advisable to drink, as this can cause suffocation and vomiting.
It is also contrapathic to give the victim alcoholic beverages and coffee, as they can affect blood circulation, also interfering in the process of body warming.
When the body is exposed to very low temperatures, it initiates processes that try to raise the temperature and correct heat loss.That is why one of the first signs of the cold is the appearance of tremors.These tremors are involuntary movements of the body’s muscles that attempt to produce energy and heat.
In addition, the brain also causes vasoconstriction, resulting in narrowing of the body’s vessels, especially in the limbs, such as the hands or feet, which prevents excessive heat waste.
Finally, in the most severe cases of hypothermia, the body decreases the activity of the brain, heart and liver in an attempt to reduce the heat loss that occurs with the functioning of these organs.
Gain a better understanding of how cold winter affects health.