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Hypothermia

Alternative Names: Low body temperature; Cold exposure Symptoms: As people develop hypothermia, their abilities to think and move are often lost slowly. In fact, they may even be unaware that they need emergency treatment. Someone with hypothermia also is likely to have frostbite. Text Continues Below The symptoms include: Drowsiness Weakness and loss of coordination Pale and cold skin Confusion Uncontrollable shivering (although at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop) Slowed breathing or heart rate Lethargy, cardiac arrest, shock, and coma can set in without prompt treatment. Hypothermia can be fatal. References: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th Ed. St. Louis, Mo.: London: Mosby; 2002:1979-1996. Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001. Ford, MD, ed. Clinical Toxicology. 1st Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2001:244-247.

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