Treatment For Patients With Hypothermia

A person suffers from hypothermia when their body temperature has dropped significantly. This condition requires urgent medical attention to prevent serious injury. In this article, we will look at the different strategies for treating a person with hypothermia.

What is hypothermia?

As a general rule, hypothermia is a medical term that refers to unusually low body temperature. In general, a person is considered to suffer from hypothermia when the body’s core temperature (ie the temperature of the central organs) is below 35 ° C or 95 ° F.

There are several different conditions that can cause this condition.

Overall, the body has a number of mechanisms that protect it from the cold. When the temperature drops, it works hard to produce heat and stabilize the body.

However, if the extreme condition persists, the body will not be able to recover the lost heat. Therefore, the body begins to fail at an internal temperature lower than 35 ° C. This is because the body’s heat production is lower compared to the heat lost when one is exposed to such conditions.

Furthermore, the vital organs and blood vessels will begin to be damaged. If this condition is not treated properly, a person with hypothermia can die due to related complications.

Types of hypothermia

There are three different types of hypothermia, which are categorized according to the severity of each case. The symptoms usually appear gradually and worsen over time.

Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the following:

• Mild hypothermia (33-35 º C or 86-95 º F). The most common symptoms, or signs that a person has hypothermia, are chills or tremors, confusion and disorientation, and difficulty performing normal movements. The skin may change color and feel cold to the touch.
• Moderate hypothermia (30-33 º C or 86-95 º F). In this situation, the person with hypothermia will begin to lose consciousness, and it may also be that they will mumble or babble faintly. It is also possible that the patient feels an intense drowsiness and loss of energy.

• Severe hypothermia (below 30 º C or 86 º F). When this stage is reached, the person will lose consciousness, the heart rate and the breathing rhythm will slow down and weaken. Here, too, blood pressure will be well below what is considered normal or acceptable.

What is the treatment for people with hypothermia?

Remember that first aid is a set of simple guidelines that can be used in an emergency or emergency. Regardless of the accident, you can try to minimize the damage caused while waiting for help from your healthcare professional.

In case of hypothermia, immediately call 113 and check the status of the injured person. To do this, check your heart rate and breathing, and if necessary, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (or CPR).

The next steps will depend on the degree of hypothermia the person has. You may want to move the patient to a sheltered location that has a more stable or appropriate temperature. If the person has mild hypothermia, you should also find blankets, or clothing that can restore warmth. If the clothes are wet, they should also be removed.

If it is not possible to move the person, or there is not enough shelter in the area, try to warm the victim to dry wet clothes and increase the core temperature. If possible, you can put on a warm compress or share your own body heat by lying next to the victim. It is not recommended to use direct heat, as it can cause more serious complications.

You can also stimulate them with hot drinks or food. No matter what condition the person is in, no alcohol should be given. Although you may have received this tip before, that information is incorrect.

All attempts to warm the patient should be made gradually, and only if the person with hypothermia is conscious. If the person is unconscious or lifeless, do not try to warm them up, as the brain cells will survive longer without oxygen supply while they are cold. Use CPR and wait for healthcare professionals. Heating of a lifeless or unconscious person should only take place in a hospital.

What medical treatments should be performed on patients with hypothermia?

Once the medical team arrives, they will use the most appropriate treatment guidelines to stabilize the patient.

In cases of mild hypothermia, the disorder can be treated using passive heating. This technique consists of managing hot liquids and blankets to recover the lost heat.

In more severe cases, however, the victim may be unconscious or you may find that they do not want to calm down. In this situation, doctors will use other techniques to deal with hypothermia. These techniques may include:

• Giving the patient fluids through an iv Usually it is an isotonic saline solution.
• Use moistened oxygen to warm the patient’s airways.
• Introduce a varying amount of saline solution in certain areas of the body. This is usually administered through a catheter in areas such as the pleura or abdominal cavity.

• In the most extreme cases, a hemodialysis machine can be used. This machine pumps blood out of the patient. Then it raises the temperature, and further the blood is pumped back into the patient’s body.

In any case, it is important to call the emergency number and be in contact with health personnel. Only in mild cases will clothing and drink be enough to increase body temperature and restore the patient’s health.