Hypothermia

Since it is freezing outside, I thought we would discuss hypothermia. Hypothermia is below normal body temperature that happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. It is an emergency that can quickly lead to death. It does not have to be that cold for a person to get hypothermia. You can get it at temperatures of 50f or even higher in wet and windy weather. It can happen in water that is 60f to 70f. Frail or inactive people can get hypothermia indoors if they are not dressed warmly enough. Here are the early warning signs that you might have hypothermia:

1. Cold, pale skin
2. Shivering
3. Lack of interest or concern
4. Poor Judgment
5. Clumsy movement and speech

Advanced warning signs include the following:

1. Confusion
2. Slow pulse and breathing
3. Weakness or drowsiness
4. A cold belly
5. Stiff, hard muscles, shivering may stop if body temperature goes below 90f

What you can do:

Call 911 if the person is very confused, stumbles a lot, or faints.
Call a doctor if the person's temperature is below 96f after 2 hours of warming. Remember, when in doubt call the doctor to be on the safe side.