Q. I've heard that elderly people are more susceptible to hypothermia. How can I protect myself? Am I safe as long as I remain indoors?
A. Hypothermia occurs when your body cannot manufacture enough heat to maintain a normal temperature (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). If asked to think of somebody at risk for hypothermia, most of us would conjure up a dramatic image of someone stuck in the frozen wilderness during the dead of winter.
The fact is that hypothermia can also strike people inside the confines of their own homes and over the course of several days. Even slight dips in body temperature can cause changes in a person's heartbeat and create serious health problems.
Hypothermia
and the Elderly
There are a number of factors that place older adults at a higher risk for hypothermia. For example, our ability to maintain a normal internal temperature decreases as we grow older. Other health influences that can affect our ability to regulate our body temperature often increase with age. Some of these factors include:
• Physical limitations that decrease a person's ability to move or react to colder temperatures
• Chronic conditions that affect the thyroid, circulatory system or neurologic system
• Medications that impact our ability to maintain body temperature
In some cases, older people also have problems with poor nutrition or heating issues within their homes. Each of these factors can contribute to a person's likelihood of developing hypothermia.
Others at Risk
for Hypothermia
Elderly people are not the only ones who are at risk for hypothermia. Other common victims of hypothermia include:
• Infants who sleep in cold bedrooms
• Unattended children
• People who are outdoors for long periods
• People under the influence of alcohol, and
• People with mental illness.
Staying Warm
Inside the Home
Though hypothermia can occur inside the home, it is still an easily preventable condition. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself against hypothermia:
• Keep your thermostat at a temperature 68° F to 70° F. If you lose heat in your home for any reason, make arrangements to stay with someone who does have a heated home. If you cannot maintain a heated home for financial reasons, your electric or gas company can connect you with helpful resources such as budget plans or heat assistance.
• Wear multiple, loose-fitting layers. Layering is better for maintaining warmth than a single, bulky covering. Several layers of clothes create room for warm air to act as an insulator and separate us from the external elements.
• Stay nourished and hydrated. A body is less able to regulate its internal temperature when it doesn't have enough fluids and calories.
• Manage illness. If you have any conditions that can impact your ability to stay warm, do your best to manage them. From hypothyroidism to diabetes to arthritis, there are many conditions that can interfere with our ability to stay warm, react to the cold, or maintain circulation.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
Hypothermia can impact our appearance and our behavior as well as cause other physical signs. Some "red flags" to be aware of include:
• Shivering (which can stop if body temperature is below 90 F)
• Weak pulse or low blood pressure
• Stiffness in limbs
• Sluggishness or drowsiness
• Fumbling or poor motor skills
• Confusion or memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Pale or grayish skin or skin that is cold to the touch
• Unconsciousness
While it might be more difficult to recognize hypothermia in babies, you should take note of:
• Skin that is bright red or cold to the touch
• Sluggish movements or low energy
The presence of certain symptoms may increase with the severity of the hypothermia. While a lowered body temperature is the defining feature of hypothermia, you should seek help if you or someone you know exhibits these signs and symptoms.
Getting Help
If not properly and quickly managed, hypothermia can be a serious health threat and even result in death. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, you should take the following steps:
• Call 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible
• Place the person in warm, dry environment, removing any wet clothing
• Warm the core first. An electric blanket or loose, dry layers can help
• Warm beverages may help, but do not give the person alcohol
• Keep the person warmed and covered, even if the body temperature has returned to normal
• Administer CPR if needed
- As an emergency medicine physician, Beth Yount, MD,
provides immediate medical care for patients who are admitted to Monroe Clinic's Emergency Medicine (ER) and Walk-In Care departments. She is board-certified from the American Board of Family Practice and has over seven years of emergency room experience.
A. Hypothermia occurs when your body cannot manufacture enough heat to maintain a normal temperature (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). If asked to think of somebody at risk for hypothermia, most of us would conjure up a dramatic image of someone stuck in the frozen wilderness during the dead of winter.
The fact is that hypothermia can also strike people inside the confines of their own homes and over the course of several days. Even slight dips in body temperature can cause changes in a person's heartbeat and create serious health problems.
Hypothermia
and the Elderly
There are a number of factors that place older adults at a higher risk for hypothermia. For example, our ability to maintain a normal internal temperature decreases as we grow older. Other health influences that can affect our ability to regulate our body temperature often increase with age. Some of these factors include:
• Physical limitations that decrease a person's ability to move or react to colder temperatures
• Chronic conditions that affect the thyroid, circulatory system or neurologic system
• Medications that impact our ability to maintain body temperature
In some cases, older people also have problems with poor nutrition or heating issues within their homes. Each of these factors can contribute to a person's likelihood of developing hypothermia.
Others at Risk
for Hypothermia
Elderly people are not the only ones who are at risk for hypothermia. Other common victims of hypothermia include:
• Infants who sleep in cold bedrooms
• Unattended children
• People who are outdoors for long periods
• People under the influence of alcohol, and
• People with mental illness.
Staying Warm
Inside the Home
Though hypothermia can occur inside the home, it is still an easily preventable condition. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself against hypothermia:
• Keep your thermostat at a temperature 68° F to 70° F. If you lose heat in your home for any reason, make arrangements to stay with someone who does have a heated home. If you cannot maintain a heated home for financial reasons, your electric or gas company can connect you with helpful resources such as budget plans or heat assistance.
• Wear multiple, loose-fitting layers. Layering is better for maintaining warmth than a single, bulky covering. Several layers of clothes create room for warm air to act as an insulator and separate us from the external elements.
• Stay nourished and hydrated. A body is less able to regulate its internal temperature when it doesn't have enough fluids and calories.
• Manage illness. If you have any conditions that can impact your ability to stay warm, do your best to manage them. From hypothyroidism to diabetes to arthritis, there are many conditions that can interfere with our ability to stay warm, react to the cold, or maintain circulation.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
Hypothermia can impact our appearance and our behavior as well as cause other physical signs. Some "red flags" to be aware of include:
• Shivering (which can stop if body temperature is below 90 F)
• Weak pulse or low blood pressure
• Stiffness in limbs
• Sluggishness or drowsiness
• Fumbling or poor motor skills
• Confusion or memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Pale or grayish skin or skin that is cold to the touch
• Unconsciousness
While it might be more difficult to recognize hypothermia in babies, you should take note of:
• Skin that is bright red or cold to the touch
• Sluggish movements or low energy
The presence of certain symptoms may increase with the severity of the hypothermia. While a lowered body temperature is the defining feature of hypothermia, you should seek help if you or someone you know exhibits these signs and symptoms.
Getting Help
If not properly and quickly managed, hypothermia can be a serious health threat and even result in death. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, you should take the following steps:
• Call 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible
• Place the person in warm, dry environment, removing any wet clothing
• Warm the core first. An electric blanket or loose, dry layers can help
• Warm beverages may help, but do not give the person alcohol
• Keep the person warmed and covered, even if the body temperature has returned to normal
• Administer CPR if needed
- As an emergency medicine physician, Beth Yount, MD,
provides immediate medical care for patients who are admitted to Monroe Clinic's Emergency Medicine (ER) and Walk-In Care departments. She is board-certified from the American Board of Family Practice and has over seven years of emergency room experience.
