Recognize the various signs and symptoms of hypothermia that must be recognized immediately

Maybe you are quite familiar with the term hypothermia, which is a condition when the body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. Even though normally, body temperature ranges from 37 degrees Celsius. This drop in temperature can be dangerous for the nervous system and body organs because they cannot function optimally. Therefore, understanding the symptoms of hypothermia can at least help you to understand and get help as early as possible before it becomes fatal.

What are the symptoms of hypothermia that usually appear?

The characteristics of a person experiencing hypothermia can be grouped depending on the severity of the hypothermia symptoms they experience, in the form of:

Symptoms of mild hypothermia

The main measurable sign of mild hypothermia is a drop in body temperature in the range of 32-35 degrees Celsius. At this early stage, the blood flow to the skin begins to decrease, resulting in pale skin and difficulty moving in the body.

Because the temperature experienced by the body is not normal, the body will respond to it with uncontrolled shivering in an effort to overcome cold exposure while creating heat.

In addition, other symptoms of mild hypothermia include:

• The body is shaking
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Difficulty speaking and moving
• Trouble concentrating
• Discomfort

A person experiencing mild hypothermia should be immediately warmed, for example by using a blanket or thick clothing. If you don't get help as soon as possible, your body temperature will continue to drop so that the chills you experience will get worse.

Symptoms of moderate to severe hypothermia

Mild hypothermic conditions that are not treated promptly can worsen until it is classified as moderate to severe hypothermia. People with hypothermia in this group generally have very cold body temperatures, to below 28 degrees Celsius.

Uniquely, the body of a person who is experiencing moderate to severe hypothermia is no longer shivering. The reason is because the body is conserving energy as a way to deal with coldness. Signs that must be considered are:

• Extreme confusion, for example doing an unnatural behavior
• Loss of consciousness (fainting)
• Fatigue
• Breathing slows down

If the condition continues to worsen, people with moderate hypothermia may turn to severe hypothermia. Entering this phase, you may be unconscious and unresponsive to stimuli around you.