Low body temperature (normal is around 37°C).
A core temperature less than 35°C, resulting in loss of normal function.
A drop in body temperature below 95°F (35° C).
A reduction in body temperature below normal, for medical purposes taken to be below 35°C.
Condition in which the body temperature is below 35° Celsius (95° Fahrenheit), most often occurring in the elderly or very young who are exposed to excessive cold; symptoms include pallor, slow, shallow respiration; and slow, faint heartbeat.
Abnormally low body temperature caused by illness or exposure to cold, or induced, as for heart or brain surgery or to treat a high fever.
A condition in which the body temperature drops below 95°F. Hypothermia is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold and occurs when more heat is lost than the body can generate. The onset of symptoms of hypothermia is usually slow and includes a gradual loss of mental and physical ability. The person with hypothermia may be entirely unaware of the condition. Other symptoms include apathy, lethargy, confusion, large pupils, drowsiness, loss of coordination, weakness, slow pulse, dizziness, slurred speech, and uncontrollable shivering.
Accidental reduction of body temperature below the normal range in the absence of protective reflex actions, such as shivering. Often insidious in onset, it is particularly liable to occur in babies and the elderly if they are living in poorly heated homes and have inadequate clothing.
A core body temperature of less than 35 °C. As the temperature of the body falls, there is increasing dysfunction of all the organs, particularly the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. The patient becomes listless and confused, with onset of unconsciousness between 33-28 °C. Cardiac output at first rises with shivering, but then falls progressively, as do the oxygen requirements of the tissues. Below 17—26 °C, cardiac output is insufficient even to supply this reduced demand for oxygen by the tissues. The heart is susceptible to spontaneous ventricular fibrillation below 28 °C. Metabolism is disturbed and the concentration of blood glucose and potassium rises as the temperature falls. Cooling of the kidneys produces diuresis, and further fluid loss from the circulation to the tissues causes hypovolaemia.
Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition in which the body temperature drops to a dangerously low level.
A condition in which the internal body temperature becomes dangerously low.
A serious loss of body heat that causes the body temperature to fall well below normal.
Hypothermia is a condition characterized by a drop in body temperature below 35°C. It often affects sick or elderly people who are exposed to cold environments, as the body’s sensitivity to cold diminishes with age, making it harder to counteract temperature drops. Hypothermia can also be a risk factor for those with hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive. Infants are at increased risk because they lose body heat quickly and can’t effectively counter a drop in temperature. Furthermore, outdoor enthusiasts like climbers and hikers who don’t dress appropriately for cold weather are also commonly affected by hypothermia.
An individual experiencing hypothermia typically appears pale and lethargic. Their heart rate slows down, their body feels cold, and they often exhibit drowsiness and confusion. In cases of severe hypothermia, breathing becomes slow and shallow, muscles stiffen, and the individual can lose consciousness, appearing lifeless. Ultimately, the heart could potentially cease beating.
Hypothermia constitutes a medical emergency and its treatment varies based on the age of the patient. For instance, an infant or child can be warmed through direct skin-to-skin contact, such as being nestled inside an adult’s clothing. A young person might be placed in a warm bath. An elderly individual is typically warmed gradually by being swathed in layers of heat-reflecting materials in a room with a temperature of around 25°C. If the person is fully conscious, they can be offered a warm, non-alcoholic drink. It’s important to avoid alcohol as it could worsen the condition. In extreme, life-threatening cases of hypothermia, the individual might be admitted to an intensive care unit for controlled warming, where warmed fluids are administered intravenously.
The majority of individuals who experience hypothermia can fully recover, with the prognosis being most favorable for young, generally healthy individuals.
A body temperature that is below normal can be artificially induced by immersing a limb or the entire body in ice. This cooling process slows down blood flow, diminishes pain and shock, and reduces the body’s need for oxygen. It is beneficial during certain medical procedures like brain and heart surgeries or when fixing or replacing arteries. Another technique involves inserting a cooling tube into a patient’s duodenum through the throat. This method is believed to heal duodenal ulcers without surgical intervention.