Severe hypothermia

Severe hypothermia is considered to be a drop in body temperature below 33ºC.

It is due to prolonged exposure to cold environments (mountains, cold rooms, cold water) and/or with little warm clothing. Intense exercise in cold environments without sufficient food or water may be a cause. Rarely it will be caused by a lesion in the body temperature regulating centre, located in the hypothalamus of the brain.

It manifests with cold, clammy skin, weakness, headache, shivering, drowsiness, confusion and slow heart and respiratory rates.

Diagnosis is clinical, by means of an interrogation of what happened and a complete physical examination with vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate). A blood test is usually performed to complete the study.

Treatment varies according to the severity of the episode. Body temperature should be raised by applying local heat and warm serum therapy. Proper oxygenation and pulmonary ventilation will be ensured by oxygen therapy and sometimes assisted ventilation. Admission to hospital is necessary to correct blood test imbalances and monitor vital signs.

If you assist a person with signs of severe hypothermia you should call for help immediately, try to maintain body heat by getting close to the person, remove damp clothing and apply dry clothing, move the person under cover and try to keep the person awake. Do not apply direct heat or allow the person to drink alcohol.