Hypothermia (Extreme Cold)

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature passes below 95 F (35 C). Signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia include shivering, dizziness, hunger, nausea, faster breathing, trouble speaking, slight confusion.Hypothermia can occur when a person is exposed to cold air, water, wind, or rain.

The body temperature can drop to a low level at temperatures of 50°F (10°C) or higher in wet and windy weather, or if the person is in 60°F (16°C) to 70°F (21°C) water. If a person has mild hypothermia, home treatment may be enough to bring the body temperature back up to normal. The overall mortality rate from hypothermia is similar between men and women.

Because of a higher incidence of exposure among males, men account for 65% of hypothermia-related deaths. Very young and elderly persons are at increased risk and may present to the emergency department with symptoms that are not clinically obvious or specific for hypothermia, such as altered mental status.The statistics for deaths by excessive natural cold in the period 1999-2011 report are:

• Total deaths: 16,911

• Average deaths per year: 1,301

• Highest yearly total: 1,536 (2010)