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I like winter sports. What should I know about hypothermia?

January 9, 2010

Exercising in the cold is fun and invigorating if you are aware of the hazards.

Anyone can get hypothermia. Most healthy people recover completely. Babies and elderly adults are more at risk and have more trouble recovering. It is important to know the symptoms and get early treatment for hypothermia to prevent death.

Hypothermia happens when you lose body heat faster than you produce heat. Your body temperature can decrease a little or a lot. Normal oral temperature of a healthy adult ranges from 35.5-37.5C (95.9-99.5F).

Hypothermia can happen when you are exposed to cold air, water, wind or rain. If someone is shivering violently and having trouble speaking or walking, they could have hypothermia. You should quickly warm the person.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

  • shivering, cold pale skin, slurred speech
  • numbness in hands and fingers
  • poor balance and judgment

Life threatening symptoms include:

  • stiff muscles
  • slow pulse
  • shallow breathing
  • drowsiness\weakness
  • loss of consciousness
  • cold torso

Shivering may disappear when the body temperature drops to 32C (90F) or lower.

Treatment of hypothermia depends on the severity of the hypothermia. Treatment of mild hypothermia includes getting out of the cold environment, and warming the person. Moderate to severe hypothermia is treated in the hospital.

Dressing properly and taking precautions can allow you to exercise throughout the year. There are things you can do to protect yourself from the cold. When exercising in the cold you should wear layers of loose clothing to trap heat produced during exercise. You can take off layers if you get too hot. You should wear a hat to prevent losing heat from your head and mittens or gloves to protect your hands. Keep moving. You should put on extra clothing when you stop exercising if remaining outside.

For more information about hypothermia, or for available programs and services, contact Health Link Alberta where nurses are available 24-7 to provide health advice and information. Call 1-866-408-LINK (5465) or 780-408-LINK (Edmonton area) or 403-943-LINK (Calgary area).