What causes hypothermia?
Sep 07, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Hypothermia may be caused by exposure to cold environments, measurement errors, drowning, hypothyroidism, sepsis, and other factors. In daily life, it is important to pay attention to environmental changes, take appropriate warming measures, maintain healthy living habits, and enhance the body's resistance to prevent hypothermia and related issues.
In general, hypothermia refers to abnormally low body temperature. Hypothermia may be caused by exposure to cold environments, measurement errors, drowning, hypothyroidism, sepsis, or other reasons. If the above conditions occur, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Exposure to cold environments
Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can cause excessive heat loss from the body, making it impossible to generate sufficient heat to maintain normal body temperature. Preventive measures such as wearing warm clothing and using heating pads should be taken.
2. Measurement error
During temperature measurement, insufficient measuring time, improper placement of the thermometer (e.g., not held tightly), or defects in the thermometer itself may lead to falsely low readings. It is important to ensure correct measurement techniques in daily life.
3. Drowning
When drowning, the body remains in cold water for an extended period, leading to rapid heat loss. Without timely rescue, body temperature may drop sharply, resulting in the aforementioned symptoms. This condition may be accompanied by impaired consciousness, respiratory arrest, or cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed under medical guidance, and the individual should be quickly moved to a warm environment for rewarming.
4. Hypothyroidism
This condition primarily results from the thyroid gland's inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormones. When thyroid function is reduced, metabolic rate slows down and heat production decreases, making individuals prone to low body temperature. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, etc. Treatment should follow medical advice and may include medications such as methimazole tablets, levothyroxine sodium tablets, and propranolol hydrochloride tablets.
5. Sepsis
Sepsis may be triggered by factors such as immune system dysfunction, trauma, or infection. During sepsis, the immune system's response to infection may disrupt the function of the body's temperature regulation center, suppressing mechanisms that normally increase body temperature, thereby causing hypothermia. Symptoms may include increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, etc. Patients should follow medical advice and receive treatment with medications such as clindamycin hydrochloride tablets, amoxicillin capsules, or injectable norvancomycin hydrochloride.
In daily life, attention should be paid to environmental changes. Appropriate warming measures should be taken, and healthy lifestyle habits maintained to enhance physical resistance and prevent problems such as hypothermia.
