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Have you ever felt really cold in the winter? Be careful, it could be a sign of hypothermia. This condition can affect anyone, regardless of age. This article will discuss hypothermia from understanding it to overcoming it.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a condition in which the body experiences a drop in temperature due to certain conditions. When the body temperature drops to 35 degrees, it can be concluded to have hypothermia and this is a very emergency. A person's normal body temperature is about above 37 degrees.
When the body temperature drops, organs like the heart, nervous system and others cannot work optimally. If left untreated, this disease will cause the heart and other organs to fail, resulting in death.
Cold weather and immersion in cold water are the main causes. For treatment, the method is to warm up the body and bring the body temperature back to normal.
What causes hypothermia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of hypothermia are cold weather and cold water. There are also other factors, such as being in an environment that is colder than your body temperature, not to mention not wearing proper clothing.
- There are also specific conditions, namely
- Not wearing warm enough clothes in cold weather
- Frequently going out in cold weather
- Not being able to take off wet clothes or move to a dry place
- Boating accident that exposes the body to water for a long time
- Staying in a house that is too cold because the air conditioner has been on for too long
Symptoms of Hypothermia
According to PennMedicine, when someone experiences hypothermia, they will slowly lose the ability to think and move. In addition, the person may not realize that they need emergency care.
Symptoms include
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Pale and cold skin
- Slowed heartbeat and breathing
- Extreme shivering
- Weakness and loss of coordination
How to prevent hypothermia in winter
Is it winter in your area? Or do you often suffer from hypothermia? Relax, this article will allow you to prevent hypothermia (don't forget to practice at home).
There are several precautions you can take, namely
- Wear layered clothing
- Wear a warm hat
- Use scarves and gloves
- Drink plenty of warm/hot beverages
- Reduce alcohol, caffeine and nicotine consumption
- Try to keep clothes dry
First aid tips for someone suffering from hypothermia
Has your brother ever suffered from hypothermia at home? Don't know how to help him? According to MayoClinic, here are some first aid tips for people affected by hypothermia:
Be gentle: First, treat the person with hypothermia gently. Move them gently and as needed. Avoid massaging or rubbing, which can trigger a heart attack.
Get the person out of a cold place: If possible, move the person to a dry, warm wall. If this is not possible, keep the casualty out of cold air as much as possible and try to keep the casualty in a horizontal position.
Remove wet clothing: If the casualty is wearing wet clothing, it is best to remove it by cutting the clothing.
Cover the body with something warm: Use a blanket or dry coat to keep the body warm. Also cover the head, but not the face.
Protect the victim's body from the cold ground: If you are outside, place the victim on a blanket.
Use a warm compress: Use a plastic bottle filled with warm water to warm the body. Compress only the neck, chest, or groin. Do not compress the arms or legs, as this can be fatal.
Do not use direct heat: Avoid using hot water or a heating pad to warm the victim's body. Extreme heat can damage the skin and cause an irregular heartbeat, which can cause the heart to stop beating.
That's the understanding of first aid tips for people with hypothermia. In fact, winter is the number one cause of hypothermia. But with the right steps, you can handle this situation for both yourself and others.
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