During cold weather, hospitals see an increase in cases of hypothermia, which occurs when the core body temperature drops severely.
Hypothermia is a life-threatening medical emergency, and our experts urge people in the Mid-South to know how to prevent and recognize the condition.
By preparing carefully to be outside in the cold and seeking immediate help for hypothermia symptoms, you can keep yourself and others safe this winter!
As temperatures drop, hospitals see an increase in cases of hypothermia, a medical emergency that occurs when the core body temperatures drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Regional One Health experts are encouraging Memphians to take steps to prevent this serious condition.
“When a patient is suffering from hypothermia, their body starts losing heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature,” said Geretta Hollins, community outreach and injury prevention program coordinator for burn and trauma services. “By learning ways to prevent hypothermia and recognizing symptoms, you can avoid deadly complications.”
Hollins said the most common causes of hypothermia include exposure to cold weather and immersion in cold water. Therefore, avoiding those circumstances or protecting the body against them are the best ways to prevent the condition.
If you need to be outdoors in cold weather, wear warm, layered clothing. If you start to shiver, go inside as soon as possible or huddle with others to reduce heat loss.
Don’t overexert yourself. It may sound counterintuitive since the body warms up with exertion, but Hollins explained the key is avoiding activities that cause you to sweat – when your skin and clothing get wet, it causes the body to lose heat more rapidly.
The same explanation applies if you’re around water. Stay as dry as possible, and if you’re on a boat, wear a life jacket.
In conditions where people are at higher risk of hypothermia, it is important to stay vigilant. As Hollins explained, “Symptoms of hypothermia often begin gradually, and patients usually aren’t aware of the condition.”
Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech or mumbling, slow and shallow breathing, weak pulse, clumsiness or lack of coordination, drowsiness or low energy, confusion or memory loss, and loss of consciousness. Hollins stressed these are sings of an emergency and it is essential to seek immediate medical help by calling 911 or taking the patient to the emergency room.
If you need to be outside in the cold for an extended period of time, dress in warm layers.
While waiting for professional help, there are some first-aid guidelines you can follow.
When helping someone with hypothermia, handle them gently. “Any overly vigorous or jarring motion can cause the person to go into cardiac arrest,” Hollins cautioned. “Only move the person as much as you need to, and don’t massage or rub the patient.”
Move the victim out of the cold and into a warm, dry spot. If you can’t get the patient out of the cold, do everything you can to shield them from the wind and cold.
Have the patient lie in as flat a position as possible. Remove wet clothing – Hollins noted you may have to cut away clothing to avoid moving the patient too much.
Cover the person using layers of dry blankets, coats, or whatever is available. Cover their head along with their body, leaving only the face exposed. Try to insulate their body from the ground – if you’re outside, have them lay on a blanket or another warm, dry surface.
Use warm, dry compresses on the neck, chest wall, or groin. Hollins said to avoid the arms or legs because this forces cold blood back toward the heart, lungs, and brain, which can cause a dangerous or even fatal drop in core temperature.
If you don’t have first-aid warm compresses, makeshift options include warm water in a plastic bottle or a towel that has been warmed up in the dryer. Do not apply direct heat, like hot water, a heating pad, or a heating lamp, as it can damage the skin or trigger irregular heartbeats.
If the patient is alert, give them a warm beverage that is non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic.
Call 911 or seek medical help immediately for someone suffering from hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, loss of consciousness, weak pulse, confusion, and shallow breathing.
Finally, monitor the patient carefully and begin additional first aid if necessary. “A person who is suffering from severe hypothermia may seem like they’re unconscious, and you need to check for signs of a pulse or breathing,” Hollins said. “If the person’s breathing has stopped or appears dangerously low or shallow, begin CPR right away if you’re trained.”
Remember, hypothermia is a serious medical emergency that can be fatal. It can cause cardiac arrest, bleeding disorders, and organ dysfunction, and patients can go into shock or a coma.
“Take cold weather seriously, and prepare yourself if you need to be outdoors for an extended time,” Hollins said. “Be alert to the early signs of hypothermia, and take action immediately. Prevention is always best, but catching issues early can lead to much better outcomes.”
The Elvis Presley Trauma Center is the only Level-1 Trauma Center in a 150-mile radius of Memphis. A multispecialty team of experts is available 24/7 to treat the most critically injured patients from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and parts of Missouri.
The Firefighters Burn Center is the only full-service burn center in 400 miles of Memphis that is verified by the American Burn Association. It provides comprehensive care including emergency and critical care, intensive care, specialized burn rehabilitation, and laser and plastic surgery.