Hypothermia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Exercise - dress appropriately

Hypothermia

Alternative Names:

Low body temperature; Cold exposure

Prevention:

Before you spend time outside in the cold, DO NOT drink alcohol or smoke. Drink plenty of fluid and get adequate food and rest.

Wear proper clothing in cold temperatures to protect your body. These include:

Mittens (not gloves)
Wind-proof, water-resistant, many-layered clothing
Two pairs of socks (cotton next to skin, then wool)
Scarf and hat that cover the ears (to avoid major heat loss through the top of your head)

text continues below

Avoid:

Extremely cold temperature, especially with high winds
Wet clothes
Poor circulation, which is more likely from age, tight clothing or boots, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medications, smoking, alcohol, and diseases that affect the blood vessels (such as diabetes)

References:

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen?s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5^th Ed. St. Louis, Mo.: London: Mosby; 2002:1979-1996.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001.

Ford, MD, ed. Clinical Toxicology. 1^st Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2001:244-247.