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When you are exposed to the cold elements too long, your face, fingers, toes and limbs may become frost-nipped. Characterized by a whitening of the extremities and face, frost-nip can be treated by warming the affected areas as quickly as possible. Real frostbite, however, is a serious condition that warrants medical treatment right... more »
Thermal underwear is clothing that keeps an outdoor enthusiast comfortable and safe. This protective clothing helps to insulate the body by creating a small space of air next to the skin. Thermal underwear creates a double space and therefore extra warmth. Read on for the many benefits, functions and types of thermal underwear that... more »
As beautiful as the winter can be, it can also be your worst enemy. Below 95 degrees, the body can begin to suffer from hypothermia which can negatively affect the nervous system and lead to respiratory and heart failure. With careful preparation, a calm mind, knowledge of skills and the ability to put them to use effectively you can... more »
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Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature dips dangerously below the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees F. A core temperature of 95... more »
Wilderness weather is notoriously fickle, and if you're not prepared you might risk losing vital body heat, a condition known as hypothermia. When... more »
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Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that required for normal metabolism and body functions. In warm-blooded animals, core body temperature is maintained near a constant level through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation. However, when the body is exposed to cold, its internal mechanisms may be unable to replenish the heat that is being lost to the organisms surroundings.
Hypothermia is the opposite of hyperthermia which is present in heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Hypothermia may be divided into accidental hypothermia, which will be discussed here, and therapeutic hypothermia.
Classification
Hypothermia is defined as any body temperature below 35.0 °C (95 ºF). It is subdivided into four different degrees mild (32 - 35ºC) moderate (28 - 32ºC), severe (20 - 28ºC), and profound ( less than 20ºC). This is in contrast with hyperthermia or fever which is defined as a rectal temperature of greater than 37.8 °C (100.0 °F).
Other cold-related injuries that can either present alone or in combination with hypothermia include:
*Chilblains are superficial ulcers of the skin that occur when a predisposed individual is repeatedly exposed to cold.
*Frostbite involves the freezing and destruction of tissue.
*Frostnip is a superficial cooling of tissues without cellular destruction.
*Trench foot or immersion foot is due to repetitive exposure to wet, non-freezing temperatures.
Signs and symptoms
Normal body temperature in humans is 36.5–37.5 °C. A number of skin conditions may be associated with hypothermia or may occur with normal body temperature. These include: cryopedis and frostbite. Symptoms of hypothermia may be divided into the three stages of severity.
*Stage 1
read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accidental+hypothermia
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