What are the signs, symptoms and effect of hypothermia on human being?

 Introduction:

Hypothermia is a medical condition in which the temperature of human deaccelerate from normal value to lowest value the exact value for hypothermia is, when the temperature of human body  falls from 37°C or 98.6°F to 35°C and 95°F it is called hypothermia. In this condition the vital organ of human unable to work properly and gradually move toward failure. Such type of conditions where the whole body temperature internally or externally falls down this is called hypothermia.

In normal condition when the temperature of body falls due to external factor  or internal factor, it again move toward its normal condition to maintain thermoregulation. It will maintain the low body temperature by increasing metabolism, enhancing shivering, contraction of blood vessel and by conservating the  heat produced by body. When this mechanism unable to restore the reduced temperature this condition is called hypothermia.

What are the Cause of  hypothermia?

Hypothermia has several causes it depend upon factor either the factor is internally or externally.

In case of  causes  hypothermia has two category . Category one is internal source and category 2 is external source.

Internal source of hypothermia

Stroke 

During stroke the  temperature control center of body hypothalamus also damage due to this morphological change of the brain the  temperature of body unable to maintain it become hypothermic.

Brain injury 

In the case of brain hypothermic, temperature control center of body  in brain called hypothalamus changed in structurally or in chemistry that's why the temperature of body changed and become hypothermic. Because the control system its self is damage that will be unable to perform  its activity

 Trauma

Due to trauma when the body expose to external dangerous  environment in this stage the production of heat inside the body is less than the  heat released from the body as a result the become hypothermic

Sepsis

sepsis is a medical condition in which over reaction of the immune system against any infection which can damage vital organs.

During this condition the inflammation and infection effect the hypothalamus as a result temperature of body reduced.

Second reason several cytokines released during sepsis that effect hypothalamus and temperature of body reduced person become hypothermic.

Hypothyroidism

In severe hypothyroidism, thyroid gland which secrete thyroid hormone  to increase metabolism unfortunately in such condition the hormone absence due the absence of this hormone metabolism rate decrease also energy production decrease and body become cool.

 Burns

Skin protect the heat to released into environment in this condition burned skin unable to preserve the  heat as a result  large amount of heat released from the body and the suffered one  become hypothermic.

Malnutrition

During malnutrition the calories required  for energy production is reduced as a result the body unable to maintain energy become hypothermic and second reason less calories low fat formation  because fat is the type of nutrient which is a reserve source of energy and also insulate the body to reduce the release of heat from the body  if the amount of fat get decrease the insulation system of body get effected and the reserve energy source will reduced that cause the temperature of a body to decrease that we called hypothermia.

External sources of hypothermia

1-    By drinking cold water

2-    Due to cold weather

3-    Light clothing During cold wind

4-    By sleeping on cold surface

5-    With light dress during rain and snow

6-    By using alcohol

Cause vasodilation more  blood circulation to skin as a result more energy lost to environment and cause hypothermia.

7-    By using sleeping peels

Decrease muscle contraction and muscle unable to release energy.

Second thing during the action of sleeping pills hypothalamus unable to response to body to produce heat as a result body become hypothermic

8-    By using antidepressant

 same effect of sleeping pills

9-    Sedative drugs(Those drugs that make a person sedate)

10-    Peoples without home

11-    Infant 

12-    Mental dieses

13-    Surgery

15-    Elderly

Different  types of hypothermia

Stage 1: Mild  hypothermia

32°C to 35°C 

90° F to 95°F

Cold  pale skin

During this stage of hypothermia the blood flow to the body slightly

Down from its normal routine as a result the body initially become pale in in color due to less circulation of blood

Weakness

During hypothermia the delivered energy to muscle used in shivering for the movement of muscle require extra energy and body unable to afford it, that's why the person feels weakness

Confusion

Hunger

During hypothermia the rate of metabolism increase as a result the body demand more energy and the suffered person feel hungry.

Shivering

During mild hypothermia when the body observe change in body thermal state body want to maintain it through shivering.

Slurred speech

During hypothermia muscles of that  organs include in speech specially lips, tongue and throat unable to relax and contract for proper speech this the reason behind slured speech during hypothermia.

Stage 2: Moderate  hypothermia

28°C to 32°C

82°F to 90°F

Shallow breathing

Slow pulse

Shivering frequently 

Drawness

Stage 3: Severe hypothermia

Less than 28°C

Less than82°F

Blue lips

During sever hypothermia  flow of oxygen slow to every part of the part that's why without the presence of oxygen body hypoxic and that time lips seems bluish.

Coma

During severe hypothermia the rate  of metabolism is reduced due to this condition the production of energy of also reduced brain require continues energy for his function but hyperthermia energy requirement is slow and also oxygen transmissions to brain is also reduced  gradually brain unable to perform his function, suffered person move toward confusion and laterally divert into coma.

Unconscious

Dilated pupil

In normal condition brain stem control the pupil to contract and dilate in severe hyperthermia the function of brain stem decreased that's why brainstem unable to control pupil. At last pupil stay in dilated state.

Cardiac arrest 

In severe hypothermia the output of heart slow second point rate of heart will also slow and the regularity of pulse become irregular at last by the combination  of these condition  cardiac arrest will happen. for more about the function of vital  organ hearthttps://www.healthduhs.org/2026/05/what-is-human-heart-and-its-function.html

Absence of shivering

In severe hypothermia when the metabolism stops the energy required for the purpose of muscle contraction and relaxation will not provide by the body as a result muscle unable to shiver more.

Second thing in severe hypothermia the control center of brain hypothalamus unable to  maintain body temperature due to low temperature and low energy supply.

Diagnosis of hypothermia

1.Body temperature measurement

2. Investigating about cold exposure 

3.sugar test 

4. Blood test

5. Electrolyte

6. ECG

7. Oxygen level

Treatment of hypothermia

1.Remove wet clothes 

2.Move toward warm area or heat up body thorough external source

3.Warm drink

4. Avoid rubbing body(Because rubbing cause skin injury because the skin already in fragile condition to protect heat production and cause heart rhythm  irregularities).

5. Cover with dry or hot blanket

Medical treatment of hypothermia

Their is no direct medicine to treat hypothermia but some medical treatments are available that treat other changed chemistry that happened during or after hypothermia 

Oxygen 

 For hypoxic condition

Glucose

For low glucose 

Dopamine

 For low blood pressure

IV fluid 

For electrolyte treatment

Antibiotic

 For any infection that cause hypothermia

How to get prevention from hypothermia?

    To prevent ourself from hypothermia we will follow these strategy

1-    Always drink warm water

2-    Avoid drinking cold water

3-     During cold weather always dress thick cloths that cover your body properly and protect the exchange of heat from the body

4-     Do not use that type of medication which suppress the brain or dilate the blood vessels

5-     Do not use alcohol which cause vasodilation that increase the release of heat from the body as a result hypothermia occur  

for more about the hyperthermia that is against to hypothermia https://www.healthduhs.org/2026/01/what-is-fever-what-are-early-sign-and.html

References

 WHO -World Health Organisation

NIH- National Institute Of Health)

 CDC- Centre for Disease Control and prevention