Hypothermia, what is it?

hypothermia

You’ve heard it many times…. avoid getting hypothermia in this bitter cold.

What is hypothermia?…..The Mayo Clinic defines it as a 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 Hypothermia happens when we get below 95.

Angie Steiner with Daviess Community Hospital describes some symptoms….

 

 

Steiner says avoid hypothermia by limiting your exposure to the cold, wear a thick hat and gloves, and dress in layers when outside.  Stay dry by avoiding getting in the snow and fill up on water and eat high energy snacks.  It hypothermia occurs..move the person from the cold and get them out of any wet clothing, call 911 and monitor breathing, don’t apply direct heat, don’t give them alchol, don’t rub them as it can cause damage if the skin is frostbitten.