What Is Hypothermia?

What is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. It causes dangerously low body temperature.

Symptoms of Hypothermia-

• Shivering
• Tenderness
• Trouble speaking
• Confusion
• Unconscious
• Fatigue
• Slurred speech
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

Causes of Hypothermia

• Prolonged exposure to cold weather
• Wearing clothes that aren’t warm enough for weather conditions
• Unable to get out of wet clothes or move to a warm, dry location
• Immersion in water
• Inadequate heating in the home
• Air conditioning that is too cold

Risk factors of Hypothermia

• Older adults and infants
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Mental illness and impaired judgment
• Medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and sedatives

Complications of Hypothermia-

• Frostbite
• Gangrene
• Chilblains
• Trench foot

Diagnosis of Hypothermia-

The diagnosis of hypothermia is based on a person’s physical signs and symptoms. In some cases, an exam may include a temperature reading with a rectal thermometer that reads low temperatures.

Precautions & Prevention of Hypothermia-

• Avoid activities that would cause you to sweat a lot
• Stay as dry as possible
• Wear loose fitting and lightweight clothing
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather
• Wear a hat or other protective covering to prevent body heat from escaping from your head, face and neck.

Treatment of Hypothermia-

• Homeopathic Treatment of Hypothermia
• Acupuncture & Acupressure Treatment of Hypothermia
• Psychotherapy Treatment of Hypothermia
• Conventional / Allopathic Treatment of Hypothermia
• Surgical Treatment of Hypothermia
• Dietary & Herbal Treatment of Hypothermia
• Other Treatment of Hypothermia

Homeopathic Treatment of Hypothermia-

Homeopathic treatment of hypothermia helps to relieve icy coldness, numbness, tingling, and shooting pains. Homeopathic remedies are very useful for bluish discoloration of the skin accompanied by muscle cramps. Some of the homeopathic remedies for hypothermia are:

• Ars
• Kali P
• Merc
• Nat M
• Arg N

Acupuncture and Acupressure Treatment of Hypothermia-

Acupuncture relieves by improving the physiological function of the organs and organ system. In acupuncture therapist will first diagnose the case on the basis of energy system or chi blockage as well as on the basis of status of five elements. On this basis certain disease specific acupoints are selected and stimulated.

Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy Treatment of Hypothermia-

Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy can help in stress relief. They can help in better coping and early relief.

Conventional / Allopathic Treatment of Hypothermia-

The allopathic treatment of hypothermia includes one the following treatments:

• Blood rewarming – hemodialysis machine is used to filter blood in people with poor kidney function.
• Warm intravenous fluids – A warmed intravenous solution of salt water may be injected into a vein to help warm the blood.
• Airway rewarming – humidified oxygen is administered with a mask or nasal tubes which can warm the airways help raise the temperature of the body.
• Cavity lavage – To deliver the warm solution, a small tube is inserted down the throat to reach the stomach and warm saltwater solution may be used to warm the stomach, bladder or colon.

Dietary & Herbal Treatment of Hypothermia-

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Warm drinks like soups and herbal teas are useful