Description Exposure to cold ca...
Description
Exposure to cold can cause a dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia). The very old, very young, those with chronic illnesses, and the intoxicated are most susceptible. Becoming wet causes a particularly rapid drop in body temperature. Death can result from cardiovascular collapse.
Symptoms
Shivering, confusion, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, weakness.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be done to determine damage from the hypothermia. An EKG may be performed to look for cardiac abnormalities resulting from hypothermia.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Specialists:
Emergency Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be done to determine damage from the hypothermia. An EKG may be performed to look for cardiac abnormalities resulting from hypothermia.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Specialists:
Emergency Medicine
Treatment
Rewarming and removing the wet clothes are essential. The method of warming depends on how low the temperature is and what symptoms are present. Treatment may include: passive warming with external warming devices, or active warming by the injection of pre-warmed fluids, providing warmed oxygen or by warming the blood directly (using a procedure called "arteriovenous heated countercurrent exchange."