Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F, while hypothermia occurs as temperature falls below 95 F.
Overview
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F, while hypothermia occurs as temperature falls below 95 F.
Symptoms
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Causes
- •Exposure to cold weather or water
- •Inadequate clothing for conditions
- •Inability to move and generate body heat
- •Wet clothing in windy environments
Risk factors
- •Older age or very young age
- •Alcohol or drug consumption
- •Certain underlying medical conditions
- •Mental exhaustion or confusion
How it progresses
3 stages- OnsetSudden, severe symptoms — minutes matter.
- Critical windowTime-sensitive treatment dramatically changes outcome.
- RecoveryLong-term recovery and rehabilitation.
How it's diagnosed
- •Physical examination
- •Measurement of core body temperature
- •Blood tests to check for complications
- •Heart rhythm monitoring (ECG)
Treatment options
General educational information only — no dosage advice. Always follow guidance from a qualified clinician.
- •Evaluation by a healthcare professional
- •Medication may be considered when appropriate
- •Procedures or referrals based on individual assessment
- •Move the person to a warm, dry place
- •Remove wet clothing gently
- •Cover with blankets and layers
- •Provide warm, non-alcoholic liquids if conscious
- •Apply warm, dry compresses to center of body
- •Passive external rewarming with blankets
- •Active external rewarming with heat packs
- •Intravenous warmed fluids
- •Airway rewarming with humidified oxygen
- •Blood rewarming via bypass or dialysis machines
Complications
- •Long-term damage if untreated
- •Reduced quality of life
- •Worsening symptoms over time
- •Recurrence of hypothermia
Prevention
- •Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- •See a clinician for routine check-ups
When to seek help
- •Symptoms persist beyond a few days
- •Symptoms interfere with daily activities
- •New or worsening symptoms appear
- •Concerning changes related to hypothermia
- Loss of consciousness
- Extremely shallow breathing
- Pulse is weak or undetectable
- Rigid muscles or lack of shivering
In any emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.
Real-world questions
- ›Can Hypothermia cause headaches?
- ›Is Hypothermia reversible?
- ›How quickly does Hypothermia progress?
- ›Is Hypothermia hereditary?
- ›Can Hypothermia be prevented?
Explore related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Possible causes of Hypothermia include Exposure to cold weather or water, Inadequate clothing for conditions, Inability to move and generate body heat, Wet clothing in windy environments.
Hypothermia can be serious and may require prompt medical attention, especially if symptoms are severe or worsening.
Duration varies between individuals. Many cases improve with appropriate care, while others may persist longer and require ongoing management.
Hypothermia typically benefits from medical evaluation and should not be ignored.
Consider seeing a clinician if symptoms are severe, persistent, worsening, or if you have any concerns related to general.
Sources
Information based on general medical references such as:
Last reviewed: May 2026