Symptoms of Hypothermia
General information about symptoms of Hypothermia: The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible symptoms of Hypothermia. This symptom information has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of symptoms of Hypothermia. Furthermore, symptoms of Hypothermia may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and whether they are indeed symptoms of Hypothermia.
List of symptoms of Hypothermia: The list of symptoms mentioned in various sources for Hypothermia includes:
- Low body temperature
- Abnormally low body temperature
- Drowsiness
- Slow heartbeat
- Slow breathing
- Shivering
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Purple toes
- Purple fingers
Symptoms of Hypothermia: Hypothermia is marked by unusually low body temperatures, below 96° F (35.5° C) - well below the body’s normal temperature of 98.6° F (37° C). What may seem like a mere couple of degrees can have a devastating effect. Severe hypothermia can cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart failure and death.1
How can you tell if someone has hypothermia? If a person says he or she is unusually cold, check their temperature with a thermometer. Older people may be reluctant to complain, or are unaware of how serious the cold can be. Look for these signs of hypothermia:
- Confusion or sleepiness
- Slowed, slurred speech, or shallow breathing
- Weak pulse; low blood pressure
- A change in behavior during cold weather or a change in the way a person looks
- Excess shivering or no shivering; stiffness in the arms or legs
- Chilly rooms or other signs that the person has been in a cold place
- Poor control over body movements or slow reactions
How can you tell if someone has hypothermia? If a person says he or she is unusually cold, check their temperature with a thermometer. Older people may be reluctant to complain, or are unaware of how serious the cold can be. Look for these signs of hypothermia:
- Confusion or sleepiness
- Slowed, slurred speech, or shallow breathing
- Weak pulse; low blood pressure
- A change in behavior during cold weather or a change in the way a person looks
- Excess shivering or no shivering; stiffness in the arms or legs
- Chilly rooms or other signs that the person has been in a cold place
- Poor control over body movements or slow reactions
More symptoms of Hypothermia: In addition to the above information, to get a full picture of the possible symptoms of this condition and its related conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by complications of Hypothermia, underlying causes of Hypothermia, associated conditions for Hypothermia, risk factors for Hypothermia, or other related conditions.
Medical articles on symptoms: These general reference articles may be of interest:
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Accidental Hypothermia - Age Page - Health Information: NIA
Last revision: Oct 28, 2003
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