什么是体温过低? 征兆与原因

Hypothermia is a condition that might be life-threatening. It is caused by prolonged cold temperature exposure — whether those conditions are on land or in the water. The winter months present a greater risk for hypothermia, but you can also be at risk for it in the spring or fall — and even in early summer months, when deep water temperatures are still much lower than surface temperatures above.

正常体温平均为98度.华氏6度 , but with hypothermia, your core temperature can drop below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, with severe hypothermia, your core body temperature can 降至华氏82度 或者更低.

暴露在寒冷中是如何导致体温过低的

我们的身体在寒冷中自然地失去热量. This is why it's so important to dress properly, and in layers when possible, during 在寒冷的天气里进行户外活动. 我们大部分的热量损失 -高达90% -通过我们的皮肤流失. 其余的通过肺部呼出. All of this heat loss escalates when our skin is exposed to wind or moisture. Exposure in cold water occurs 25 times faster than exposure to the same temperatures on dry land.

我们的大脑有一个 温度控制中心叫做下丘脑. 它的作用是保持和维持平均98分.6度体温. 当我们暴露在寒冷的温度下, we naturally shiver to activate muscles to protect and raise body heat. We also preserve heat through the temporary narrowing of blood vessels.

Most of our body's heat is generated through the activity of our heart and liver. 然而, 当核心体温下降时, these vital organs go into a "protective"mode to preserve heat and protect the brain. As our body temperature falls, our brain activity, heart rate and breathing all slow as well.

This is why a person's inability to accurately understand what's happening occurs - confusion and fatigue set in and it becomes 更多的 difficult to process just how to get to safety.

低体温症状

• 瑟瑟发抖
• 口齿不清或喃喃自语
• 缓慢而浅的呼吸
• 微弱的脉搏
• 笨拙或缺乏协调
• 困倦或精力不足
• 思维混乱或失忆
• 失去知觉
• 亮红色，皮肤冰冷(婴儿)

体温过低导致

• Wearing clothes that aren't warm enough for weather conditions
• 在寒冷的室外待太久
• Being unable to get out of wet clothes or move to a warm, dry location
• 落水(如划船事故)
• Living in a house that's too cold (either from poor heating or too much air conditioning)

如何预防体温过低

• 遮住你的头. Wear a hat or other protective covering to prevent body heat from escaping from your head, 脸部和颈部. 戴连指手套而不是普通手套.
• 不要用力过猛. 避免会让你大量出汗的活动. The combination of wet clothing and cold weather can cause you to lose body heat 更多的 quickly.
• 多穿衣服. 穿宽松、有层次、轻便的衣服. Outer clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material is best for wind protection. Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does.
• 保持干燥. 尽量保持干燥. 尽快脱掉湿衣服. 特别要注意保持手脚干燥, 因为雪很容易进入手套和靴子.
• 特别针对儿童:
  • Dress infants and young children in one 更多的 layer than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
  • Bring children indoors if they start shivering - that's the first sign that hypothermia is starting.
  • Have children come inside frequently to warm themselves when they're playing outside.
  • 不要让婴儿睡在寒冷的房间里.