what is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a dangerous medical condition where your body temperature drops below about 95°F (35°C), meaning your body is losing heat faster than it can make it, and key organs like the brain and heart stop working properly.
What hypothermia is
- Normal core body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), and hypothermia is defined when it falls under about 95°F (35°C).
- It is a medical emergency because prolonged low temperature can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, and death if not treated.
How it happens
- Hypothermia usually happens in cold environments when the body loses more heat than it produces, such as in cold weather, cold water, or windy, wet conditions.
- It can still occur in temperatures above 40°F (4–5°C) if someone is wet from rain, sweat, or immersion and exposed for a long time.
Common symptoms
- Early signs can include shivering, cold and pale skin, numb hands and feet, tiredness, and faster breathing and heart rate.
- As it worsens, people may become clumsy, very confused, slur words, stop shivering, and eventually lose consciousness as the heart and brain slow down.
Why it is serious
- As body temperature drops, the heart rhythm becomes unstable, blood clotting is impaired, and organs begin to fail.
- Without prompt warming and medical care, moderate to severe hypothermia can be life‑threatening, and hundreds to over a thousand deaths per year are attributed to it in some countries.
Basic first steps (non-professional)
- Get the person out of the cold, wind, or water, remove wet clothing, and cover with dry layers or blankets while seeking emergency medical help.
- Avoid direct intense heat (like very hot water or heating pads on bare skin) and rough handling, because this can trigger dangerous heart rhythms in severe hypothermia.
If you suspect hypothermia in yourself or someone else, emergency evaluation is needed as soon as possible.