Get Healthy Carson City: Baby, it's cold outside - the facts about hypothermia

Winter has once again returned to Carson City, and with the cold temperatures comes an increased risk of hypothermia. This week's column addresses some of the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, and how you can help protect yourself and those around you from suffering the effects of our chilly environment.

Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature falls below 95 degrees. Normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees, but even a few degrees drop in temperature can have you feeling the effects of mild hypothermia. Early on, the symptoms may include shivering, red or pale skin, numbness in the hands and feet, and mild confusion.

As a person's body temperature drops even more, shivering becomes more violent, movement becomes less coordinated and more difficult, and although the victim may seem alert, confusion increases. Also, skin becomes increasingly pale, while lips, ears, fingers, toes may turn blue. Extremities begin to freeze as blood is directed to the core to sustain vital organ functions.

Hypothermia can be a life-threatening condition. Serious complications can set in if a person remains exposed to cold temperatures.

In severe cases of hypothermia, the victim may have difficulty speaking, incoherent and irrational thinking, amnesia, and severely impaired movements. At this stage, pulse and breathing slow and major organs shut down.

In many cases of severe hypothermia, the victim exhibits strange behavior. One common example is called paradoxical undressing. The victim is so disoriented that they become combative and begin to remove clothing. In the final stage of hypothermia, victims may also try to "hibernate" by terminal burrowing. This phenomenon is also referred to as "hide-and-die" syndrome. Hypothermia victims have been found underneath furniture or in closets.

People most at risk of hypothermia include the elderly and infants; those with inadequate food, clothing, or heat; people with prolonged exposure to cold temperatures; participants in outdoor recreation activity; the homeless; and those who use alcohol or illicit drugs.

If you suspect that someone is suffering from hypothermia, call for emergency medical attention. If medical care is not available, get victim into a warm place and remove any wet clothing. Warm the victim slowly, starting with the center/core of the body first. Use an electric blanket or skin-to-skin contact under loose layers of warm blankets or clothing. Give warm beverages, but not any that contain alcohol.

After the person is warmed, keep them dry and wrapped in warm blankets, and make sure to get medical attention as soon as possible.

A victim of hypothermia might be unconscious, or may even seem dead, having a very slow pulse or respiration. Check for a pulse for at least 45 seconds. If there is none, and if you know how, begin CPR. In some cases, they may still be resuscitated. The lowest recorded temperature that a person eventually recovered from was a very chilly 55.4 degrees.

Even though we often think of hypothermia as a condition that occurs in very cold temperatures, it is important to remember that people can get hypothermia even if it is not below freezing. If there is a power outage, remember to check on elderly neighbors to make sure that they are OK. Be sure that babies and children are kept warm. If you are feeling cold or exhibiting the early signs of hypothermia, find somewhere to warm yourself.

The Carson City Health and Human Services is located at 900 East Long St., Carson City.

For information on immunizations and health clinics, call , 775-887-2195.

Check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cchhs.

• Cortney Bloomer and Valerie Cauhape are with the Carson City Health and Human Services.