Recognize and Prevent Hypothermia

1/21/2026

Hypothermia is a medical condition defined by a body temperature that falls at or below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Body temperature is an automatic function of a part of the brain which recognizes changes in environment and body temps, and responds to bring it back in line. Generally, hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system is overwhelmed by exposure to extreme cold.

“If the environment gets suddenly or gradually colder, the body will typically generate more heat by shivering, as the increase in muscle activity promotes heat formation,” says Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Haylie Mata. “But when the loss of heat is greater than the body’s ability to make more heat, the body’s core temperature will fall – resulting in the life-threatening condition of hypothermia.”

When the temperature outside drops, it’s important to arm yourself and those around you with knowledge about this condition – what it looks like, and what to do if you suspect hypothermia is occurring.

Symptoms of mild hypothermia include:

• Dizziness and/or slight mental confusion
• Rapid breathing or heart rate
• Lack of muscle or speech coordination
• Fatigue
• Hunger and/or nausea

Symptoms of moderate or severe hypothermia include:

• Severe dizziness or mental confusion
• Shivering, but more critically as hypothermia worsens, shivering stops
• Slurred speech
• Shallow or slow breathing and pulse
• Worsening muscle coordination
• Severe drowsiness or apathy

“It’s important to remember that, in addition to shivering and the feeling of being cold, hypothermia affects thinking and reasoning,” said Mata. “This may affect someone’s ability to make what seem to be obvious decisions to address their situation. Someone may fall asleep as mental alertness wanes, leaving them prone to a further loss of body temperature, and eventual coma or death.”

If you suspect someone is experiencing hypothermia, use a thermometer to check their temperature. If it’s below 97 degrees, or if the thermometer cannot produce a reading, call 9-1-1 immediately. While waiting for medical help, the following tips may be helpful in saving someone’s life:

• Remove any clothing that may be wet, cutting articles of clothing away if needed
• Cover the entire head and body with blankets, leaving only the face exposed
• If conscious, provide warm drinks – but no caffeine or alcohol
• If not conscious or in severe state, provide skin to skin contact if possible – remove your clothing and wrap both persons in a blanket in attempt to transfer body heat
• Monitor breathing closely, and prepare to administer CPR if breathing stops

Each year in the U.S., an average of 1,300 people die from exposure to excessive natural cold. Take precautions at this time of year to avoid falling victim, and keep a close eye on children, the elderly and the infirm. Individuals may not run their heat to save money, but it’s important to make sure heaters are working and being used appropriately when temperatures are low.

As we make our way through the coldest weeks ahead, the medical team at AllianceHealth Durant stands ready to respond to any emergencies.

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