First Aid Treatment of Hypothermia its causes and diagnose

Hypothermia

Fall of the body temperature below 35 degree C is called hypothermia. Mild and moderate cases are reversible, but recovery is unlikely if the body temperature falls below 26-24 degree C.

Hypothermia occurs in the following conditions.

1. Very low environmental temperature without adequate protection in the form of warm clothes, properly heated house etc.
2. Prolonged immersion in cold water.
3. Wearing wet clothes.
4. Exhaustion in cold climate.
5. This condition is aggravated by
6. Severity varies with age and physical condition of the individual.

Consumption of alcohol or drugs and some conditions like diabetes mellitus aggravate this condition.

It is diagnosed by the following features.

1. The Skin is very pale and abnormally cold to touch.
2. There is loss of muscle coordination.
3. Speech is slurred.
4. The victim is irritable, confused, and restless.
5. He may become unconscious.
6. Breathing becomes increasingly difficult
7. Cardiac Activity drops.

First Aid

1. Place the victim in supine position in a warm place. If he is unconscious, place him in recovery position.
2. Cover his body with a woolen blanket.
3. Remove his clothes if wet and replace them with dry, warm clothes.
4. Do not rub or massage the limbs.
5. Do not give him alcohol.
6. Resuscitate if cardio respiratory arrest develops.
7. Shift him to a hospital immediately.