Hypothermia Diagnosis and Treatment Could Save Lives

Hypothermia is a life threatening condition that may result in death. It is a drop in the core body temperature of less than 95°F (35° Celsius). This temperature is below what is required for normal metabolism and bodily function (Figure 1). The normal body temperature is between 97.7°F and 99.5°F (Fahrenheit) which is the same as 36.5°C and 37.5°C (Celsius). The body's thermoregulation mechanism adjusts to weather changes. Thermoregulation During extreme cold, the body receives a signal from sensory receptors. The signal will go up to the brain. The brain then sends a signal to the body to respond to the cold temperatures and attempts to maintain the core body temperature (Figure 2). This is necessary in order to provide the vital organs with the necessary heat to function properly. The brain will send a signal to the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels of the skin and the skeletal muscles. The smooth muscle cells line the arteries and arterioles (Figure 3). During cold, the signal from the brain causes vasoconstriction of the arterioles in the skin which allows the body to shift the blood to more vital areas of the body (Figure 4). Another signal from the brain goes to the skeletal muscles, which quickly contracts them causing shivering that helps to keep the body warm. If the body is exposed to cold and the thermoregulation mechanism is unable to preserve the heat, a drop in the core body temperature will occur. As the body temperature drops, cha...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news