injuries poisoning
Hypothermia
Etiology of Hypothermia
Hypothermia results when body heat loss exceeds body heat production. Hypothermia is most common during cold weather or immersion in cold water, but it may occur in warm climates when people lie immobile on a cool surface (eg, when they are intoxicated) or after very prolonged immersion in swimming-temperature water (eg, 20 to 24° C). Wet clothing and wind increase risk of hypothermia. Conditions that cause loss of consciousness, immobility, or both (eg, trauma, hypoglycemia, seizure disorders, stroke, drug or alcohol intoxication) are common predisposing factors. Older people and the very young also are at high risk: Older people often have diminished temperature sensation and impaired mobility and communication, resulting in a tendency to remain in an overly cool environment. These impairments, combined with diminished subcutaneous fat, contribute to hypothermia in older people—sometimes even indoors in cool rooms. The very young have similarly diminished mobility and communication and have an increased surface area/mass ratio, which enhances heat loss. 1.Dow J, Giesbrecht GG, Danzl DF, et al: Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia: 2019 Update.Wilderness Environ Med30(4S):S47-S69, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2019.10.002 