Hypothermia Can Happen Both Indoors and Outdoors

When we think of hypothermia, our minds typically go to an accident where someone falls through the ice, is floating in sub zero sea waters or someone who is caught outside in the cold for too long.

Truth is though, we’re all susceptible to hypothermia — a dangerous drop in core body temperature usually following prolonged exposure to the cold. And it doesn’t have to occur in those dramatic outdoor circumstances, either.

It may surprise you to know your body can lose a dangerous amount of heat even at room temperature if the conditions are right.

“There are no hard-and-fast rules as to the exact temperature at which you can get hypothermia or the amount of time it takes,” says emergency medicine physician Thomas Waters, MD. “Even at room temperature, you can become hypothermic if the circumstances are right for it.”

Who is most at risk for hypothermia?

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults with inadequate heat, food and clothing and young children are at greater risk of getting hypothermia in any condition.

Children generally tend to lose heat from their bodies faster than adults do. They also tend to be less aware if they’re experiencing symptoms, given their high energy levels and tendency to be more physically active. Babies who sleep in cold bedrooms can also be at risk.

People who remain outdoors for long periods of time — those who don’t have basic shelter, those who participate in outdoor work or sports, those who are mentally ill and people dependent on drugs and alcohol are also at a greater risk.

It’s important that if you know anyone who is at risk of indoor hypothermia to check on them often to prevent any dangerous complications from cold weather months. They may not be aware of these dangers, so if you’re able to, inform them and offer help if you can.

Here are more key facts about hypothermia you should know:

There are more risk factors than cold temperatures

The risk factors for hypothermia you probably think of first — wind chill, submersion in cold water and working outside in the cold — are all factors that can certainly rob your body of its heat.

But there are many factors other than a cold environment that put you at greater risk for hypothermia. It’s important to also consider these contributing factors you may not expect:

• Age (especially advanced age) — Children and the elderly are more susceptible. “Both extremes of age are more at risk because they just don’t have the ability to adapt to the environment as easily,” says Dr. Waters.
• Medical conditions — Dementia, hypothyroidism, low blood sugar and high blood pressure sometimes contribute to hypothermia.
• Medication — Certain medications can increase the risk of hypothermia for older adults. These include certain barbiturates, antidepressants and tranquilizers. “Blood pressure medications can also inhibit your body’s ability to respond to cold, especially for older adults,” Dr. Waters says.
• Dehydration — When you’re dehydrated, you may have lower blood volume. Lower blood volume affects your circulation and your body can lose heat more quickly, which can result in hypothermia.
• Strenuous outdoor activities — Even athletes sometimes become dangerously overtired and also lose heat more quickly if they are damp from sweating.
• Alcohol or drug use — “Alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate, so you’ll feel warmer but actually become hypothermic quicker,” Dr. Waters says. “Alcohol and drug use can also lead to poor decision-making, so it’s best to avoid both when it’s cold.”

Hypothermia can happen indoors

It’s possible to lose a dangerous amount of body heat inside your own home. Hypothermia can happen indoors in as little as 10 or 15 minutes if the temperature settings are cold enough.

Not having any heat in your home in the winter can be very dangerous. So is keeping your heat turned down too low. Both can lead to hypothermia.

“It’s also not an uncommon scenario for a person to fall and be unable to get up off the floor,” Dr. Waters says. “Lying on a cold basement floor increases the body’s rate of cooling, creating a setting where hypothermia could set in.”

“If you’re wet, poorly nourished, or inadequately clothed on top of not having enough heat, you’ll get colder much faster — and the faster hypothermia can occur,” he says.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency and can be fatal

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If recognized early and treated appropriately there are typically no long-term effects. Otherwise, serious consequences are very possible.

Thousands of people die each year in the United States from hypothermia — and many of those deaths are preventable.

“Hypothermia can affect the brain and nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the liver. It can impair your motor coordination, decision making, and thus your ability to help yourself out of it. If not treated quickly, it can lead to death,” says Dr. Waters.

Know the signs and act quickly

Time is of the utmost importance in treating hypothermia. If the conditionals are right, it can begin within minutes of your body starting to lose heat.

It begins with noticeable shivering, which is your body’s way of trying to compensate for the cold.

As your body becomes dangerously cold, the shivering stops.

“You may then start to feel weak and dizzy, uncoordinated, confused, start to slur your speech and make poor decisions as your mental capacity decreases,” Dr. Waters says.

Here’s a complete list of common symptoms of hypothermia.

For adults:

• Shivering.
• Exhaustion or feeling very tired.
• Confusion.
• Fumbling hands.
• Memory loss.
• Slurred speech.
• Drowsiness.

For infants and children:

• Cold, bright red skin.
• Low energy.
• Drowsiness.

What you should do for hypothermia

Call 911 first thing if you suspect that you or someone else has hypothermia.

Dr. Waters then recommends that you:

• Get out of the cold as soon as possible.
• Remove any wet clothing.
• Begin rewarming the body by wrapping it in warm blankets.

“When helping another person, be gentle,” he says. “As hypothermia sets in the person may already beginning to go through a bit of shock both physically and mentally, so remaining calm can help a great deal.”

How to avoid and prevent hypothermia

The best way to deal with cold weather and to avoid hypothermia is to prepare. Remember this acronym:

C – Clothing. Wear dry, warm clothing, including a hat.

O – Open. Make sure clothing is open during exercise to avoid excessive sweating.

L – Loose. Dress in loose layers.

D – Dry. Stay as dry as possible.

“If you’re going to be anywhere affected by colder temperatures — whether inside your home in the winter, going for quick drive in your car, or in any environment that may see a sudden drop in temperatures — be prepared and consider taking along a survival kit that includes blankets, water, some emergency food and a heavy coat,” says Dr. Waters. “You never know what can happen out there.”