Hypothermia facts for kids
Hypothermia is a serious condition. It happens when a person's body gets too cold. Their body temperature drops below what is normal. This means it goes lower than 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). When someone has hypothermia, they start to shiver a lot and cannot stop. They might also feel confused and act strangely. Their words might not make sense, and they could become clumsy. Sometimes, they feel very tired. If you think someone has hypothermia, it's important to help them quickly. Wrap them in warm blankets and try to get them to a hospital. If you cannot go to a hospital, warm them up slowly and give them a warm drink.
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What Happens During Hypothermia?
Mild Hypothermia
When hypothermia first starts, a person will feel very cold. They will begin to shiver and cannot make it stop. It becomes hard for them to do tricky things with their hands. For example, they might not be able to touch their thumb to their little finger. This is because their hand muscles are not working well.
Sometimes, doctors use a mild form of hypothermia on purpose. This can help people with certain medical problems. It makes blood move away from the skin, hands, and feet. Instead, the blood goes to the brain and other important organs. This can be helpful if someone is bleeding badly. It also helps when a patient has a cardiac arrest, which is when their heart stops beating properly.
Moderate Hypothermia
In moderate hypothermia, the person shivers very strongly. Their big muscles do not work as well as usual. They move slowly and with difficulty. They might also become a little confused and walk unsteadily. The person's skin may look pale. Their lips, ears, fingers, and toes might even turn blue. This happens because the body is trying to keep the most important organs warm. The person might also feel sick to their stomach and very tired. They may want to go to sleep, even in a strange place.
Severe Hypothermia
If the body temperature drops even more, the person usually stops shivering. They cannot talk clearly anymore. Their thoughts become very slow. They also cannot move their hands well. Sometimes, a person might suddenly feel warm, as if they are getting better. But this is a dangerous sign that they are actually getting worse. They might even try to take off their warm clothes or lie down to sleep. If this continues, they will not be able to walk or answer questions. Their pulse will become weaker, but their heart might beat faster. If not treated, severe hypothermia can lead to death.
Related Topics
Images for kids
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The rate of hypothermia is strongly related to age in the United States
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Atrial fibrillation and Osborn J waves in a person with hypothermia. Note what could be mistaken for ST elevation.
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The armies of Napoleon retreat from Russia in 1812.
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Snow-storm: Hannibal and His Army Crossing the Alps, J. M. W. Turner
See also
In Spanish: Hipotermia para niños
