Hypothermia
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a dangerous medical condition in which a person's body temperature drops significantly below normal (35 degrees Celsius), and is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold environments. The body loses heat quicker than it can create heat, so the body temperature drops. If not treated quickly, this condition can be fatal.The symptoms of hypothermia include feeling cold, pale skin, shivering, loss of concentration, drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, dilated pupils and slowed breathing.
What food or drink can I give someone with Hypothermia?
If someone has hypothermia, you must check that they are able to swallow normally before giving them any food or drink, and this can be done by asking the victim to cough. If they are able to swallow properly, any warm drinks - not alcohol or caffeinated drinks- are suitable and will help to warm the person up. High energy foods, sweet foods and carbohydrates are also good for someone who is suffering from hypothermia.
What if I don't have a blanket?
Any DRY sheets, clothes or towels can be used to wrap the person up in. Try to warm up the neck, chest and groin areas before the legs or arms. Take off any wet clothes if you have dry replacements, but make sure you don't cover the person with wet clothes or blankets because this will only make the case worse. Use your own body warmth and try to shield the person from any wind. Do not lay the person on cold ground. It is important that you DO NOT place the victim in a hot bath, use heat lamps, heat pads or massages to try and warm the person up because this causes the person's body temperature to drop to quickly and can lead to cardiac arrest.
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a condition in which the skin tissue freeze due to extended exposure to cold weather or environments. When the body is exposed to very low temperatures, it tries to prevent heat loss by redirecting the blood away from the extremities such as fingers and toes. If exposure is prolonged, ice will start to form inside and around skin cells. The ice crystals block the movement of blood through the fine mesh of capillaries, which means the tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. The longer the tissue remains frozen, the greater the amount of damage. (Better Health, 2012) The symptoms of frostbitten skin may include:
Hypothermia is a dangerous medical condition in which a person's body temperature drops significantly below normal (35 degrees Celsius), and is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold environments. The body loses heat quicker than it can create heat, so the body temperature drops. If not treated quickly, this condition can be fatal.The symptoms of hypothermia include feeling cold, pale skin, shivering, loss of concentration, drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, dilated pupils and slowed breathing.
What food or drink can I give someone with Hypothermia?
If someone has hypothermia, you must check that they are able to swallow normally before giving them any food or drink, and this can be done by asking the victim to cough. If they are able to swallow properly, any warm drinks - not alcohol or caffeinated drinks- are suitable and will help to warm the person up. High energy foods, sweet foods and carbohydrates are also good for someone who is suffering from hypothermia.
What if I don't have a blanket?
Any DRY sheets, clothes or towels can be used to wrap the person up in. Try to warm up the neck, chest and groin areas before the legs or arms. Take off any wet clothes if you have dry replacements, but make sure you don't cover the person with wet clothes or blankets because this will only make the case worse. Use your own body warmth and try to shield the person from any wind. Do not lay the person on cold ground. It is important that you DO NOT place the victim in a hot bath, use heat lamps, heat pads or massages to try and warm the person up because this causes the person's body temperature to drop to quickly and can lead to cardiac arrest.
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is a condition in which the skin tissue freeze due to extended exposure to cold weather or environments. When the body is exposed to very low temperatures, it tries to prevent heat loss by redirecting the blood away from the extremities such as fingers and toes. If exposure is prolonged, ice will start to form inside and around skin cells. The ice crystals block the movement of blood through the fine mesh of capillaries, which means the tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. The longer the tissue remains frozen, the greater the amount of damage. (Better Health, 2012) The symptoms of frostbitten skin may include:
- Cold, white and hard skin
- Pain
- Itching
- Loss of feeling in the affected area
- Mottled skin
- Swelling and blistering
- The skin becomes red and blotchy when warmed
- Tissue loss, depending on the severity of the frostbite.