Exposure to cold, wind, and rain can bring on hypothermia, as can exhaustion, lack of clothing, food, or shelter, and not being prepared. Mild hypothermia can occur when the body temperature drops to 95°F (35°C). The brain is one of the first organs affected, so it’s not surprising that the first symptoms of hypothermia include confusion. Symptoms of later stages of hypothermia include slurred speech, stumbling, irrational behavior (such as sudden bursts of energy followed by fatigue), blurry vision, abdominal pains, and unconsciousness. The elderly, very young, and very thin are most prone to hypothermia. Anyone pulled from cold water can be assumed to be suffering from hypothermia. Here’s how to warm up fast.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR M.D.
If you have severe hypothermia, you should go to a hospital as soon as possible.
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Cigarettes are vasoconstricting and will reduce blood flow. Avoid contact with cold metallic objects as well as cold foods, water, and wind. Avoid wearing rings and metal jewelry, which can impair circulation. Avoid a hot bath before going into cold weather, as the blood vessels will dilate on the skin’s surface. Avoid over-washing, which can strip the body of its natural oils.
Unless it is to get the victim out of the cold, avoid moving them. Avoid rubbing or massaging them and put them into a warm not hot bath. Putting them into a hot bath can send cold blood to the heart and cause ventricular fibrillation.
BEST FOODS FOR AVOIDING HYPOTHERMIA
First, seek shelter from the cold and wind, preferably indoors. If outside, build a fire. Next, get into dry clothes, one garment at a time. Drink sweet hot drinks such as spiced apple cider, ginger tea, or warm soups. Sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper between your shoe and socks to keep your feet warm.
When the weather is very cold, to stay warm longer outdoors, eat more warming foods—such as anchovies, buckwheat, butter, oatmeal, parsnips, and soups—rather than salad. Use more cayenne, garlic, and ginger as warming condiments. Teas of angelica, cinnamon, ginger, fenugreek, nettles, and roasted dandelion root help you stay warm longer as well.
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If you plan on spending a long time out in the cold, to avoid hyperthermia, don’t drink too many liquids as this can make you colder.
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Stuff your clothes with dry grass, moss, leaves, or rumpled newspaper to provide your body with warmth. Avoid depending on lightweight space blankets as your only way to get warm as they will keep moisture from evaporating and end up making you colder if used for long periods. Waterproof outer clothing can be life saving.
PRACTICES TO AVOID HYPOTHERMIA
You can also place warmth (warm hand, warm rocks, hot water bottle) in areas where blood is close to the skin (at the stomach, armpits, small of the back, back of the neck, wrists, and between the thighs). This can then transport heat throughout the body. Don’t put warmth on the legs or arms, which will draw blood away from the torso. Scrunch your face and then relax and exercise your hands by shaking them or clenching then releasing to keep circulation moving.
Huddle together. Take turns putting different people in the middle, which is the warmest position. Toes and feet can be warmed by placing them on the belly of a friend. Keep an eye on each other. If one succumbs to hyperthermia, others in the group may follow. If the condition is severe, get naked in a sleeping bag or warm bed with the victim of hypothermia. Skin to skin is the most warming.
Sleeping with your clothes on inside the sleeping bag will ensure warmth. Wear a waterproof hat and remove it every once in a while if your head gets hot. Have appropriate waterproof gear. Mittens are warmer than gloves. An extra pair of socks can be used as mittens. Tight clothing will impair circulation.
If clothes are damp, spread them between the bag liner and sleeping bag or beneath the sleeping bag and sleep on top of them. If clothes are dry, roll them up and use as a pillow inside the sleeping bag so they will be warm in the morning. Replace wet clothing with dry whenever possible.
Should you fall into water and quickly get out, rolling immediately in fluffy snow will blot up much of the moisture. Should your boots get wet, stepping into a snow bank will absorb some of the water perhaps to the extent of keeping it from wetting the feet.
This Hypothermia Treatment article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
