Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that can result in death. A drop in core body temperature below 95 degrees F (35 degrees C). this temperature is lower than that required for normal metabolism and body function. Normal body temperature is between 97.7 and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (F), which is equivalent to 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius (C). The body's thermoregulation mechanism adapts to climate changes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay 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 cool temperatures and attempts to maintain core body temperature. This is necessary to provide vital organs with the heat they need to function properly. The brain will send a signal to the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels in the skin and to the skeletal muscles. During cold weather, the signal from the brain causes vasoconstriction of the skin arterioles which allows the body to move blood to more vital areas of the body. Another signal from the brain reaches the skeletal muscles which contract rapidly, causing shivering which helps keep the body warm. If the body is exposed to cold and the thermoregulatory mechanism is unable to conserve heat, a drop in core body temperature will occur. When the body temperature decreases, characteristic symptoms such as chills and mental confusion will appear. Hypothermia can be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Heat is produced by the muscles, heart, as well as the liver and the body loses heat through the skin. Body heat increases 2-4 times more with muscle contraction due to exercise or shivering. Accurate core body temperature can be measured by a special low body temperature thermometer. Hypothermia may also be associated with frostbite. Symptoms of hypothermia: depends on the degree of hypothermia: shivering Red lips and extremities Altered mental state due to reduced electrical activity of the central nervous system: such as confusion, poor judgment, etc. Slowly the patient may fall into a state of unconsciousness. Cold hands, feet or skin, chills and chattering teeth or feeling cold does not necessarily mean you are experiencing hypothermia. Only a body temperature below 95 degrees F indicates hypothermia. Causes of hypothermia include: Exposure to cold temperatures Use of alcohol during exposure to cold temperatures. Inadequate clothing Traumas Swimming or diving in cold water: heat is lost more in water than on land. A patient who performs outdoor sports such as skiing or mountain climbing. Patients who have undergone major surgery. Excessive loss of blood and fluids. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing hypothermia and does not help with symptoms. Alcohol is a vasodilator and increases blood flow to the skin and extremities. Alcohol may make the patient feel warmer, however it increases heat loss through vasodilation. Older people are more prone to hypothermia as they are more frail, have lower body fat content, and are prone to worse outcomes if they have a cardiac history. Keep seniors home and warm. Children are also susceptible to hypothermia. Children are smaller in size and have less body surface area. A baby's head is larger than the rest of the body and a lot of heat is lost through the head. When it is cold outside, be sure to cover children's heads. Paradoxical undressing: a large percentage of deaths.