What causes low body temperature?

Normal people should know the common sense about body temperature. The normal armpit temperature should be between 36.0-37.0°C. If the body temperature is higher than the normal level, the human body will show uncomfortable symptoms. If the body temperature is between 37.4 and 38 degrees, it is a low fever, 38 to 39 degrees is a moderate fever, 39 to 41 degrees is a high fever, and above 41 degrees is a very high fever. This is also a fever condition that we are all familiar with. So today let’s understand the reasons for low body temperature.

Hypothermia can occur when the body loses more heat than it produces due to prolonged exposure to any temperature. Hypothermia most commonly occurs in cold weather or after immersion in water but can occur in the summer or warm weather if metabolic or activity heat production (shivering) is unable to maintain core body temperature. Hypothermia can also occur after severe trauma. Being immobile, wearing wet clothing, wind chill, and lying on cold surfaces increase the risk of hypothermia.

2. Treatment:

When the shivering stops and the lethargy and confusion worsen, this becomes a very urgent and important emergency. When assessing the patient's condition, the first thing to do is to prevent further heat dissipation. If the patient is not breathing, has no pulse, and appears to be dead, a decision must be made whether to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately. If the patient can reach the hospital quickly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be started and maintained. If you are hours away from competent medical care, CPR is controversial.

Prolonged lack of circulation can cause permanent brain damage, which can occur even in cases of deep hypothermia; however, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the presence of an unconscious heartbeat can cause ventricular fibrillation, which can be fatal if the heart rhythm is not restored to normal. Therefore, a few experts believe that if a hospital is nearby, cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be postponed until fluid and electrolyte balance is achieved in the hospital.

The patient must be carefully cared for during transport because harsh or sudden swaying may precipitate ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, to which a cold heart is particularly susceptible. Unconscious hypothermic patients cannot generate sufficient heat and must be warmed both externally and internally using special techniques.

3. Prevention :

1. The cold starts from the feet

The material of the shoes should be breathable, such as canvas, leather, etc. Wearing rubber and plastic shoes will easily cause frostbite on the feet after sweating. Hard and tight shoes hinder blood circulation in the feet and are also prone to frostbite. When your toes feel numb, you can do stepping exercises to promote blood circulation.

2. Dress warmly

Winter clothing has high thermal insulation value, is easy to carry, is both windproof and waterproof, and is an ideal cold-proof tool. Therefore, it is important to dress warmly in cold places.

3. Replenish energy

In order to maintain body temperature in a cold environment, the human body's metabolism must increase and physical energy consumption must increase. Only by increasing the intake of nutrients can the body's needs be met. Therefore, high-calorie protein and fat foods should be increased than usual. Alcohol and water cannot produce heat, so you should never drink alcohol when it is cold. Although drinking alcohol can temporarily make your body feel hot, alcohol actually causes blood vessels to dilate, which increases the body's heat dissipation and leads to physical weakness.

4. External heating

As hypothermia worsens, it becomes difficult for the body to warm itself again, so it must be heated from outside the body. Rapid extracorporeal heating will cause cold blood to flow into the body, further aggravating the condition. The heat body can be placed in the following areas: waist and back, stomach, armpits, back of neck, wrists, and crotch. The blood flow in these areas is close to the body surface and can carry heat into the human body.