Hypothermia
Alternate Names : COLD Exposure, Low Body Temperature
What are the treatments for the condition?
If a person is suspected of having hypothermia, the following steps should be
taken:
Check for signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing, or
movement in response to stimulation.
Contact the emergency medical
system immediately.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the person stops breathing.
Use 15 chest compressions for every 2 mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
A person lying in a very cold area should not be assumed dead. He or she
may be unconscious but alive.
The person should be handled very gently, since there is an increased risk
of cardiac arrest when body temperature is very low. Do not rub or manipulate
the person's arms and legs.
The person should be removed from the cold. If this is not possible, he or
she should be moved out of the wind. The person's head and neck should be
covered, and the individual should be insulated from the cold ground. As soon as
possible, move the person to a warm room and cover the individual with
blankets.
Any wet or constricting clothing should be removed and replaced with dry
clothing.
If necessary, another person can cover the victim with his or her body.
Warm compresses should be applied to the neck, chest wall, armpits, and
groin.
If the person is alert and can protect his or her airway, he or she should
be fed warm fluids.
Warm baths and direct heat from heating pads or lamps should be
avoided.
The person should not be given
alcohol.
Stay with the affected person until medical help arrives.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
A person can be warmed too quickly. This may cause overheating, or hyperthermia. Changes in heart rhythms, called arrhythmias, can often occur during warming. Whenever possible,
medical advice should be sought before a person is warmed.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
The person usually recovers well after treatment. It is important for the
individual to avoid exposure in the future.
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